guilty he did threaten me with torments. It standeth
not with your own honour to deliver me to my sworn enemy and old
oppressor, but to try me fairly by the way of law, and, if that I be
guilty indeed, to slay me mercifully."

"My lord," cried Sir Daniel, "ye will not hearken to this wolf? His
bloody dagger reeks him the lie into his face."

"Nay, but suffer me, good knight," returned the tall stranger; "your own
vehemence doth somewhat tell against yourself."

And here the bride, who had come to herself some minutes past and looked
wildly on upon this scene, broke loose from those that held her, and
fell upon her knees before the last speaker.

"My Lord of Risingham," she cried, "hear me, in justice. I am here in
this man's custody by mere force, reft from mine own people. Since that
day I had never pity, countenance, nor comfort from the face of man--but
from him only--Richard Shelton--whom they now accuse and labour to undo.
My lord, if he was yesternight in Sir Daniel's mansion, it was I that
brought him there; he came but at my prayer, and thought to do no hurt.
While yet Sir Daniel was a good lord to him, he fought with them of the
Black Arrow loyally; but when his foul guardian sought his life by
practices, and he fled by night, for his soul's sake, out of that bloody
house, whither was he to turn--he, helpless and penniless? Or if he be
fallen among ill company, whom should ye blame--the lad that was
unjustly handled, or the guardian that did abuse his trust?"

And then the short young lady fell on her knees by Joanna's side.

"And I, my good lord and natural uncle," she added, "I can bear
testimony, on my conscience and before the face of all, that what this
maiden saith is true. It was I, unworthy, that did lead the young man
in."

Earl Risingham had heard in silence, and when the voices ceased, he
still stood silent for a space. Then he gave Joanna his hand to arise,
though it was to be observed that he did not offer the like courtesy to
her who had called herself his niece.

"Sir Daniel," he said, "here is a right intricate affair, the which,
with your good leave, it shall be mine to examine and adjust. Content
ye, then; your business is in careful hands; justice shall be done you;
and in the meanwhile, get ye incontinently home, and have your hurts
attended. The air is shrewd, and I would not ye took cold upon these
scratches."

He made a sign with his hand; it was passed down the nave by obsequio