not until these dispositions had been taken, and all had returned
to a decorous silence, that the two girls drew Richard Shelton from his
place of concealment, and made a full report to him of what had passed.
He, upon his side, recounted the visit of the spy, his dangerous
discovery, and speedy end.

Joanna leaned back very faint against the curtained wall.

"It will avail but little," she said. "I shall be wed to-morrow, in the
morning, after all!"

"What!" cried her friend. "And here is our paladin that driveth lions
like mice! Ye have little faith, of a surety. But come, friend
lion-driver, give us some comfort; speak, and let us hear bold counsels."

Dick was confounded to be thus outfaced with his own exaggerated words;
but though he coloured, he still spoke stoutly.

"Truly," said he, "we are in straits. Yet, could I but win out of this
house for half an hour, I do honestly tell myself that all might still go
well; and for the marriage, it should be prevented."

"And for the lions," mimicked the girl, "they shall be driven."

"I crave your excuse," said Dick. "I speak not now in any boasting
humour, but rather as one inquiring after help or counsel; for if I get
not forth of this house and through these sentinels, I can do less than
naught. Take me, I pray you, rightly."

"Why said ye he was rustic, Joan?" the girl inquired. "I warrant he hath
a tongue in his head; ready, soft, and bold is his speech at pleasure.
What would ye more?"

"Nay," sighed Joanna, with a smile, "they have changed me my friend Dick,
'tis sure enough. When I beheld him, he was rough indeed. But it
matters little; there is no help for my hard case, and I must still be
Lady Shoreby!"

"Nay, then," said Dick, "I will even make the adventure. A friar is not
much regarded; and if I found a good fairy to lead me up, I may find
another belike to carry me down. How call they the name of this spy?"

"Rutter," said the young lady; "and an excellent good name to call him
by. But how mean ye, lion-driver? What is in your mind to do?"

"To offer boldly to go forth," returned Dick; "and if any stop me, to
keep an unchanged countenance, and say I go to pray for Rutter. They
will be praying over his poor clay even now."

"The device is somewhat simple," replied the girl, "yet it may hold."

"Nay," said young Shelton, "it is no device, but mere boldness, which
serveth often better in great straits."

"Ye say true," she said