__________

For a long while the spectators of this joyful meeting waited in
the courtyard of the castle, which was thronged by men who had only
been restrained by a merciful Providence from bending their deadly
weapons against each other. Now their thoughts were thoughts of
peace, yet they hardly understood why and wherefore.

But after a while there was a commotion in the great hall, and soon
Martin stood on the summit of the steps, worn and pale, leaning on
the stout shoulders of Hubert. Their eyes were both swimming in
tears--but tears of joy. Cheers and acclamations rent the air, and
it was a long while ere silence was restored for the voice of the
late prisoner to be heard.

"Men and brethren, I thank you for your great love to me, and for the
desire wherewith ye have desired my freedom, and jeopardised your own
precious lives in its cause. And now, if I am welcome"--(loud
cheers)--"so must be my dear brother Hubert, Lord of Walderne by the
will of the Lady Sybil, a true knight, a warrior of the Cross, and a
friend of the poor." (Loud cheers again). "Many of you will remember
the night when he parted from you, when Sir Nicholas, who is gone,
introduced him to you as his undoubted heir, and many have grieved
over him, and said, 'Full forty fathom deep he lies.' But here he is
in flesh and blood!" (Renewed cheers).

"And now, O men of the greenwood, whom I love so dearly, let me, a
child of the greenwood, speak yet a few words about myself. For I
am not only the last represent alive of the old English house of
Michelham, but also a son of the house of Walderne; Mabel, my
mother, being the sister, as many know, of the Lady Sybil. Ah,
well. I seek a more continuing city than either Walderne or
Michelham, and I want no earthly dignities. Wherever God gives me
souls to tend is my home; and He has given it me, O men of the
Andredsweald, amongst my countrymen and my kindred, and to Hubert I
leave the castle right gladly. Now let there be peace, and let men
turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning
hooks, and hasten the glorious day when the kingdoms of this world
shall become the kingdoms of God and His Christ."

"We will. God bless Sir Hubert of Walderne."

"God bless brother Martin."

Drogo was forgotten, as though he had never lived, forgiven and
forgotten. And the multitude dispersed, each man to his own home or
haunt in the forest, leaving Sir Hubert in possession of the castle
of