se 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 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's no device, but mere boldness, which
serveth often better in great straits."

"Ye say true," she said. "Well, go, a-Mary's name, and may Heaven speed
you! Ye leave here a poor maid that loves you entirely, and another that
is most heartily your friend. Be wary, for their sakes, and make not
shipwreck of your safety."

"Ay," added Joanna, "go, Dick. Ye run no more peril, whether ye go or
stay. Go; ye take my heart with you; the saints defend you!"

Dick passed the first sentry with so assured a countenance that the
fellow merely fidgeted and stared; but at the second landing the man
carried his spear across and bade him name his business.

"_Pax vobiscum_," answered Dick. "I go to pray over the body of this
poor Rutter."

"Like enough," returned the sentry; "but to go alone is not permitted
you." He leaned over the oaken balusters and whistled shrill. "One
cometh!" he cried; and then motioned Dick to pass.

At the foot of the stair he found the guard afoot and awaitin