serious opposition
to the plan, he intended to entertain him for a short time at Ashby,
adding that he had already given commands that the castle should be
prepared for their reception.

The request was couched in such a manner that Manners could do no
other than accept it, but he immediately resolved to curtail his visit
into Leicestershire as much as he possibly could, and he felt that it
would be a relief to him when the visit was concluded.

The days swiftly passed; all too quickly for the two lovers. Sir
Thomas Stanley had sent a messenger to inform them that his brother
had met with an accident, and was too ill to travel then, and he
feared he would be obliged to return to Haddon alone; but the letter
brought the unwelcome news to Dorothy that Edward Stanley would come
and claim her as his bride before the year had passed.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE PLOT IN PROGRESS.

His eyebrow dark, and eye of fire
Showed spirit proud, and prompt to ire;
Yet lines of thought upon his cheek,
Did deep design and counsel speak.

SCOTT.

It was with mingled feelings of sorrow, suspicion, and gladness that
John Manners received news from Sir Henry de la Zouch, who had gone
over to his castle some days before, that he was coming back upon the
morrow to escort his guests to Ashby.

Sir Thomas Stanley had returned to Haddon, and though he was well
satisfied, upon the whole, with the result of his mission, yet he
clearly perceived the real state of affairs, and was far too astute
not to make strenuous efforts to alter their course.

He had interposed himself as much as possible between Dorothy and
her forbidden lover, and had succeeded in some degree in keeping
them apart. He might, however, have spared himself the trouble, for,
although he prevented their meeting on some occasions, yet love was
conqueror in the end, and with Lettice as a trusty helpmeet, the two
lovers found ways and means by which to see each other of which he
never dreamed.

Sir Thomas was too much of a gentleman to affront Manners, as he had
been secretly urged to do, but he made no secret of his opinion that
it would be a relief to him when the time came for the visitors to
depart.

True to his word, Sir Henry arrived at Haddon on the following day,
bringing with him an invitation for Sir Thomas Stanley and Crowleigh
to accompany him on his return.

Sir Thomas refused it, as indeed he was expected to do, but Sir
Everard Crowleigh, glad