f sparrows on the wing," exclaimed Sir Benedict a
Woode, who had been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to join in the
conversation.

"Aha! Sir Benedict," she replied. "Methought thou wert too unwell to
join us to-day, but thou hast weathered the attack, I see."

"Now, could I stay away, fair cousin, when I knew thou wert among the
merry company?" gallantly responded the knight.

"'Twas but the wine got into his head, Dorothy," insinuated Sir Henry.

Dorothy, according to the fashion of the time, was carrying a hawk,
one which she herself had trained, upon her wrist, which was protected
from the beak and talons of the bird by a large thick glove. She
looked upon the noble bird, and felt proud of her treasure.

"St. George," she said, "would scorn a sparrow, though, or else,
I fear, most noble Benedict, he shares not in the pride of his
mistress."

St. George cocked his head on one side, as if to receive the
compliment in a most befitting manner, and catching sight of a hand
upon the saddle, it rapidly dipped down its head and made a vicious
peck at the intruding fingers.

It was the hand of De la Zouch, and he withdrew with an ejaculation of
anger.

"There, Mistress Dorothy," he exclaimed, "did I not say the bird was
but imperfectly taught, and now see here;" and he ruefully pointed to
the bleeding finger.

Dorothy was so overcome by the tragic attitude Sir Henry assumed,
that instead of offering him her sympathy, she burst out into an
uncontrollable fit of laughter, in which the rest of the company
joined; and, burning with indignation, the unlucky knight hastened
away to join the group around the elder sister.

Having fallen behind, Dorothy and her companions had now to hurry
forward, for they learned by the blowing of the horns and signals of
Sir George Vernon that they were now close upon the scene of the day's
sport.

"Come, Doll," shouted the baron, "we are waiting for you; we are ready
to begin, and there are some strangers with whom I must acquaint you."

They soon joined company, and Master John Manners, together with his
friend, Sir Everard Crowleigh, had soon passed through the pleasant
formality of an introduction to one of the prettiest and wealthiest
heiresses in England.

John Manners, who plays a prominent part in this veracious narrative,
was the nephew of the Earl of Rutland. As he reverently kissed the
dainty hand which Dorothy held out to him he was so smitten with the
charm of her