the trial seem to
thee over great, thine apprenticeship will soon be at an end."

"Not for two years."

"Or thy master, if thou spakest the whole truth, would transfer thine
indentures. He is a good man, and if it be as thou sayest, would not
see his child tried too sorely. God will make a way for the tempted to
escape. They need not take the devil's way."

"Sir," said Stephen, lifting up his head, "I thank you. This was what I
needed. I will tell Sir John Fulford that I ought never to have heeded
him."

"Must thou see him again?"

"I must. I am to give him his answer at the Seven Stars. But fear not
me, Master Lucas, he shall not lead me away." And Stephen took a
grateful leave of the little Dutchman, and charged himself with more
messages for Ambrose and Tibble than his overburdened spirit was likely
to retain.

Lucas went down the stairs with him, and as a sudden thought said at the
foot of them, "'Tis at the Seven Stars thou meetest this knight. Take
an old man's counsel. Taste no liquor there."

"I am no ale bibber," said Stephen.

"Nay, I deemed thee none--but heed my words--captains of landsknechts in
_kermesses_ are scarce to be trusted. Taste not."

Stephen gave a sort of laugh at the precaution, and shook himself loose.
It was still an hour to the time of meeting, and the Ave-bell was
ringing. A church door stood open, and for the first time since he had
been at Gravelines he felt that there would be the calm he needed to
adjust the conflict of his spirits, and comprehend the new situation, or
rather the recurrence to the old one. He seemed to have recovered his
former self, and to be able to perceive that things might go on as
before, and his heart really leapt at finding he might return to the
sight of Dennet and Ambrose and all he loved.

His wishes were really that way; and Fulford's allurements had become
very shadowy when he made his way to the Seven Stars, whose vine-covered
window allowed many loud voices and fumes of beer and wine to escape
into the summer evening air.

The room was perhaps cleaner than an English one would have been, but it
was reeking with heat and odours, and the forest-bred youth was
unwilling to enter, but Fulford and two or three Badgers greeted him
noisily and called on him to partake of the supper they had ready
prepared.

"No, sir knight, I thank you," said Stephen. "I am bound for my
quarters, I came but to thank you for your goodness to me, and