glancing
from one to the other of us, I read a long history in her eyes. They
were frank and fearless as ever; but as ever and anon they lit on Ludar,
where he stood uneasy and blushing, they seemed to me to soften for a
moment into a gentleness in which I had no share. If before I had only
guessed my fate, something in her air made me sure of it now. And yet,
had you seen her there, you would have said the maiden thinks no better
of one of these lads than the other; nor does she think over much of
either.

"Humphrey, my friend," said she, "I am glad to see you, and in this
brave company. Have you taken service under our Knight of the Rueful
Countenance, or does he follow you?"

"May it please you," said I, gallantly, "Sir Ludar and I know no service
but yours."

"I knew not that you knew one another," said she, ignoring my speech.
"Have you been hunting the English Queen's deer again, Sir Knight?"

"No, maiden," said Ludar, gravely. "But Humphrey here hath news for you
if you will hear it."

Thus put forward, I related as shortly as possible what I had overheard
in the park. She listened calmly; but I could tell by the paling of her
cheeks and the heaving of her bosom that my story was a shock to her.

"If this be true," said she presently, "as I suppose it is, why stand we
idly here?"

"The Captain quitted the Hall at daybreak," said I. "I saw him go. To-
night the letter should reach Sir William announcing his detention at
Court, and committing you to the charge of this man Laker."

"Before which time," said the maiden, resolutely, "I shall be far enough
away, and with a better escort. What say you, Sir Ludar? When shall we
set out?"

So she had accepted our protection before ever we offered it! It would
have done you good to mark the joyous smile on Ludar's face as he saw
all his difficulties vanish at a word, and found that she took him after
all for her champion.

"In an hour's time," said he, "if it be not too speedy a making ready."

"'Tis a long journey," said she. "Which way do we go? and are we to
gallop from here to Ireland all the way with the enemy at our heels?"

Then I spoke.

"By your leave," said I, "I know of an easier and safer way than the
road. There is a trading ship sails to-morrow from London Bridge to
Leith. I know the captain, a Frenchman. If the lady will trust herself
by sea--"

"Trust the sea!" cried she, with a laugh. "Why Humphrey, my heart
bounds at th