Sheriff bowed, but dared utter no word. Then the King turned to the
Bishop of Hereford, who had also come up to pay his respects.

"Harkee, my lord Bishop," quoth he, "the stench of your evil actions
had reached our nostrils. We shall demand strict accounting for certain
seizures of the lands and certain acts of oppression which ill become a
churchman. But of this later. This afternoon you must officiate at the
wedding of two of our company, in Nottingham Church. So make you ready."

The Bishop also bowed and departed, glad to escape a severer censure for
the time.

The company then rode on to the Mansion House, where the King held high
levee through all the noon hours, and the whole town made a holiday.

In the afternoon the way from the Mansion House to Nottingham Church was
lined with cheering people, as the wedding party passed by. The famous
bowmen were gazed at as curiously as though they had been wild animals,
but were cheered none the less. Robin who had long been held in secret
liking was now doubly popular since he had the King's favor.

Along the way ahead of the King and the smiling bride and groom to be
ran little maids strewing flowers; while streamers floated in greeting
from the windows. I ween, the only hearts that were not glad this day
were those of the old Sheriff, and of his proud daughter, who peered
between the shutters of her window and was like to eat out her heart
from envy and hatred.

At last the party reached the church, where the King dismounted lightly
from his horse and helped the bride to alight; while Will Scarlet,
the best man, assisted Mistress Dale. Within the church they found
the Bishop robed in state, and by his side Friar Tuck who had been
especially deputed to assist.

The service was said in Latin, while the organ pealed forth softly. The
King gave away the bride, as he had said, and afterwards claimed first
kiss for his pains. Then the happy party dispersed, and Robin and Marian
passed out again through the portal, man and wife.

Out through the cheering streets they fared, while the greenwood men ran
ahead and flung gold pennies right and left in their joy, and bade the
people drink the health of the young couple and the King. Then the
whole party took horse at Will Scarlet's earnest wish, and went down to
Gamewell Lodge, where the old Squire George wept for joy at seeing his
son and the King and the wedding--party. That night they spent there,
and feasted, and the ne