into the forest, a
cloak was flung over my head and wound round about my arms, so that I
was helpless. Then at a sharp trot, that grew quickly into a canter,
we set out. After a while, how long I had no notion, we halted until
the leader--he whom I have come to know as Simon Gorges--had freed me
from the cloak, apologizing very humbly for being obliged to use it.

"It would likely have been more maidenly had I been tearful and
trembling; but, to my shame then, must I admit that I was neither--only
curious to know who had been so desperate as to commit an act that
would bring the whole of England down upon him. Had I but guessed the
long weeks which were to pass and the sore trials they were to bear,
there would have been weeping without stint that night as, indeed,
there was later; when it began to seem that you and all else on earth
had forsaken me."

"Nay, Beatrix; surely there was never such doubt of me?" De Lacy asked.

"Well; not doubt, exactly--only a growing fear that, having searched
for me and vainly, you had given me up for dead."

"Yet all the while, methinks your heart told you that there was one, at
least, who sought you still," he said, raising her face so he could
look into her eyes.

"I fear me, Aymer, you are still given to occasional conceit. . . No,
sir--not another kiss until I have finished--and not then, unless you
are good and humble. . . When we arrived before this castle the bridge
was down and all things ready for our coming. The place was strange to
me, and in the faint glimmer of the torches and the uncertain moonlight
I could discern no escutcheon above the gateway and no banner on the
tower. Nor did I have much time for observing, for they hurried me out
of saddle and through the great hall and up to these rooms. Directly,
there came to me an old woman who proffered herself as maid.

"'Maid!' I exclaimed. 'Maid for one with no gown but a riding habit!'

"She opened the closet door and showed me apparel in plenty; and when I
said I would wear no other woman's clothes, she told me they were made
for me and had been waiting for a week.

"'Does this place then deal in abducted maidens?' I demanded; and got
for answer that I was the first woman of quality to cross these halls
since the lord's mother was laid in yonder chapel.

"Then suddenly my courage left me, and I grew faint and would have
fallen had she not led me to the couch. With the morning came fresh
strength; and ig