(in sooth
a prison) where Goldilind had lain that other morn; and he gave the
squire leave, and entered and shut the door behind him, so that he and
Christopher were alone together. The young man was lying on his back
on the pallet, with his hands behind his head, and his knees drawn up,
murmuring some fag-end of an old song; but when he heard the door shut
to he sat up, and, turning to the new-comer, said: "Art thou tidings? If
so, then tell me quickly which it is to be, the gallows or freedom?"

"Friend," said the Earl sternly, "dost thou know who I am?"

"Nay," said Christopher; "by thine attire thou shouldst be some great
man; but that is of little matter to me, since thou wilt neither bid
slay me, or let me go, for a heedless word."

Quoth the Earl: "I am the master of the land of Meadham, so there is
no need to tell thee that I have thy life or death in my hand. Now thou
wilt not deny that thou art of the company of Jack o' the Tofts?"

"It is sooth," said Christopher.

"Well," said the Earl, "thou art bold then to have come hither, for
thou sayest it that thou art a wolf's-head and forfeit of thy life. Now,
again, thou didst take the Lady of Meadham home to thy house yesterday,
and wert with her alone a great while. Now according to thy dealings
with her thou dost merit either the most evil of deaths, or else it may
be a reward: hah! what sayest thou?"

Christopher leapt up, and said in a loud voice: "Lord King, whatsoever I
may be, I am not each man's dastard; when I saw that pearl of all women,
I loved her indeed, as who should not, but it was even as I had loved
the Mother of God had she come down from the altar picture at the Church
of Middleham of the Wood. And whoso saith otherwise, I give him the lie
back in his teeth, and will meet him face to face if I may; and then,
meseems, it will go hard with him."

Spake the Earl, laughing: "I will be no champion against thee, for I
hold my skin and my bones of too much price thereto. And, moreover,
though meseemeth the Blessed Virgin would have a hot lover in thee were
she to come down to earth anigh thy dwelling, yet trow I thy tale, that
thou hast dealt with my Lady in honour. Therefore, lad, what sayest
thou, wilt thou be a man of mine, and bear arms for me, and do my will?"

Spake Christopher: "Lord, this is better than hanging."

"Why, so it is, lad," said the Earl, laughing again, "and some would
say better by a good deal. But hearken! if thou take i