been engaged on sundry occasions with his master in
unworthy and unknightly deeds, but never until now had he perceived
the outrageous conduct of his lord. His whole nature recoiled from the
task which had been imposed upon him, and nothing but the extreme fear
with which De la Zouch had inspired him during a long acquaintanceship
held him back from releasing the two lovers on the way, and helping
them back to Haddon.

He was not yet courageous enough to pursue such a course, however. He
felt that his master's eye was upon him, and he could not shake the
evil influence off; but, although failing in this particular, he gave
them a practical token of his sympathy by offering them such food
as he possessed--a small flagon of wine, purloined from Sir Henry's
store, together with a rough rye cake, which were gratefully accepted
as a token of friendship, and before long were thankfully consumed.

He tendered them gracefully to the captives, and without waiting to be
thanked he made his way to the rear, where, forming the men in order,
he divided them into two companies, and sending the one on in front,
the other half walked a little distance behind, leaving Dorothy and
her lover free to converse as they chose. In this order, without
molestation or accident, they reached their destination as the grey
light of the succeeding morning melted into the clearer light of riper
day.

CHAPTER XXIII.

DARK SUSPICIONS.

But oh, that hapless maiden?--
Where may she wander now, whither betake her,
From the chill dew, amongst rude burrs and thistles?
Perhaps some cold bank is her bolster now.
Or, 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm
Leans her unpillowed head, fraught with sad fears.
What, if in wild amazement and affright
Or while we speak, within the direful grasp
Of savage hunger.

MILTON.

The liberal offer which the King of the Peak made for the recovery of
his daughter fired his followers with enthusiasm; for, although they
had searched willingly enough before, both for the sake of love and
duty, yet the tempting reward added to their zeal, and each one set
out on his journey anew, feeling pretty confident that very soon he
would be at least twenty nobles the richer.

As the shades of evening fell, and the twilight began to fade into
darkness, the prospect of finding the maiden grew fainter and fainter,
until at length the most hopeful gave up the search and returned
disconsolately to Hadd