make no question that would better suit your wishes."

"Thanks, sir. My business is somewhat urgent, and I shall be glad to
meet the prince, as soon as possible. Indeed, I should not be sorry to
reach a spot where we can sup and sleep, seeing that we have twice
slept in the woods, since we left Shrewsbury."

The man called out an order, in Welsh. Four men at once issued from the
bushes, and under their guidance the horsemen soon reached Aberystwith.

"I had scarce expected this pleasure, Sir Oswald," Glendower said
warmly, as the young knight entered. "To what good fortune do I owe
your visit?

"But no, 'tis but poor hospitality questioning thus, when it will be
time enough to talk of such things, later."

"And 'tis a matter that is best discussed in private," Oswald replied,
in an undertone.

"And how have you fared since we parted?"

"Since I saw you, over a year ago, the time has passed quietly, save
for the battle with the Scots; where, although we beat them, there was
no credit gained by the knights and men-at-arms; seeing that the
archers, alone, did the fighting."

"So I heard. On our side, we have been busy ever since."

"And successful, too, as I have heard."

"Yes, fortune has been in our favour. Lord Grey's ransom has been of
much use to us and, having married my daughter Jane, he can no longer
be considered a foe. Yet, to do him justice, he would not promise even
to stand neutral; though, unless under special orders from the king, he
will not draw his sword again. I love a stanch man; and though Grey has
taken, as I consider, the wrong side, he stands to it faithfully. I
offered him freedom, without ransom, if he would promise neutrality,
and that, when I had put down all other opposition, he would hold his
Welsh lands from me; but he refused, and said that he would rather
remain in chains, all his life, than be false to his vows to Henry.

"That was good, and I would that all Welshmen were as faithful. They
take the oath to me one week, and make their peace with Henry the next.
Nay, some, to please him, would go so far as to try to assassinate me.
Two such plots have there been this year, and it was only that I wore a
good mail shirt under my garments, that my life was saved from a bow
shot, and from one who professed to be my warm friend, and who had
taken bread with me, half an hour before.

"It is destiny, Sir Oswald. The powers watch over me, and keep me from
harm; and these will, I know,