herbs. By this time Walter had opened his
eyes. The cordial was poured down his throat, and he was presently able
to speak.

"Be of good cheer, Sir Walter," Ralph said; "three of your rascally
assailants lie dead, and the other two have fled; but I have better news
still for you. Lady Edith, who you told me lay unconscious and dying,
has revived. The din of the conflict seems to have reached her ears and
recalled her to life, and the dear lady came to my room with the news
that you were carried off, and then, while I was throwing on my clothes,
roused the village to your assistance by ringing the alarm-bell. Rarely
frightened I was when she came in, for methought at first it was her
spirit."

The good news, as Ralph had predicted, effectually roused Walter, and
rising to his feet he declared himself able to mount and ride back at
once. Ralph tried to persuade him to wait until they had formed a litter
of boughs, but Walter would not allow it.

"I would not tarry an instant," he said, "for Edith will be full of
anxiety until I return. Why, Ralph, do you think that I am a baby? Why,
you yourself were but this morning unable to walk across the room, and
here you have been galloping and fighting on my behalf."

"In faith," Ralph said, smiling, "until now I had forgotten that I had
been ill."

"You have saved my life, Ralph, you and my friends here, whom I thank
with all my heart for what they have done. I will speak more to them
another time, now I must ride home with all speed."

Walter now mounted; Ralph took his place on one side of him, and one of
his tenants on the other, lest he should be seized with faintness; then
at a hand-gallop they started back for the castle. Several women of the
village had, when they left, hurried up to the castle. They found Edith
lying insensible by the rope of the alarm-bell, having fainted when she
had accomplished her object. They presently brought her round; as she
was now suffering only from extreme weakness, she was laid on a couch,
and cordials and some soup were given to her. One of the women took her
place at the highest window to watch for the return of any belonging to
the expedition.

Edith felt hopeful as to the result, for she thought that their
assailants would not have troubled to carry away the body of Walter had
not life remained in it, and she was sure that Ralph would press them so
hotly that sooner or later the abductors would be overtaken.

An hour and a