he front; and thou mount her and forward
with us to Flanders."

"So please your highness," said Denys firmly, "that may not be. My home
is close at hand. I have not seen it these three years; and above all, I
have this poor youth in charge, whom I may not, cannot leave, till I see
him shipped for Rome.

"Dost bandy words with me?" said the chief, with amazement, turning fast
to wrath. "Art weary o' thy life? Let go the youth's hand, and into the
saddle without more idle words."

Denys made no reply; but he held Gerard's hand the tighter, and looked
defiance.

At this the bastard roared, "Jarnac, dismount six of thy archers, and
shoot me this white-livered cur dead where he stands--for an example."

The young Count de Jarnac, second in command, gave the order, and the
men dismounted to execute it.

"Strip him naked," said the bastard, in the cold tone of military
business, "and put his arms and accoutrements on the spare mule We'll
maybe find some clown worthier to wear them."

Denys groaned aloud, "Am I to be shamed as well as slain?"

"Oh, nay! nay! nay!" cried Gerard, awaking from the stupor into which
this thunderbolt of tyranny had thrown him. "He shall go with you on the
instant. I'd liever part with him for ever than see a hair of his dear
head harmed Oh, sir, oh, my lord, give a poor boy but a minute to bid
his only friend farewell! he will go with you. I swear he shall go with
you."

The stern leader nodded a cold contemptuous assent. "Thou, Jarnac, stay
with them, and bring him on alive or dead. Forward!" And he resumed his
march, followed by all the band but the young count and six archers, one
of whom held the spare mule.

Denys and Gerard gazed at one another haggardly. Oh, what a look!

And after this mute interchange of anguish, they spoke hurriedly, for
the moments were flying by.

"Thou goest to Holland: thou knowest where she bides. Tell her all. She
will be kind to thee for my sake."

"Oh, sorry tale that I shall carry her! For God's sake, go back to the
'Tete d'Or.' I am mad!"

"Hush! Let me think: have I nought to say to thee, Denys? my head! my
head!"

"Ah! I have it. Make for the Rhine, Gerard! Strasbourg. 'Tis but a step.
And down the current to Rotterdam. Margaret is there: I go thither. I'll
tell her thou art coming. We shall all be together."

"My lads, haste ye, or you will get us into trouble," said the count
firmly, but not harshly now.

"Oh, sir, one moment! one littl