o answer.

"And you be Miss Dorothy, I suspect," he went on with a most
unprepossessing leer.

"You will remember my lord's instructions, Simon," interrupted the
page.

"Yes, yes, of course; be off, I know. I am not going to hurt her,"
replied the chamberlain. "Well, Mistress Dorothy, I have got to take
particular care of you," he continued, ironically.

"And of Master Manners, too, I hope," she fearlessly replied, not
noticing the hidden meaning of his remark. "Remember that he is a
gentleman."

"Yes, oh yes," returned the man, with a hideous grin, "we have got
to take particular care of him as well. He will sleep downstairs
for awhile," and he laughed with a coarse guffaw, again and again
repeated, at his own joke.

"Enough of this, sirrah," broke in Manners, sternly.

"We are not here to amuse you. There will be a host of our friends
here soon to deliver us, so thou had'st best beware of what thou
do'st."

Simon scowled darkly, but Manners's threat had its effect, and he
restrained his temper.

"I care not," he replied, "so long as Sir Henry be here. I shall but
obey my instructions nor more nor less."

"And what are they?"

"You shall find that out for yourself in good time."

"And remember that though I am within your power, I am the nephew of
an earl, and have friends at Court who will avenge me on your lord,"
Manners pursued.

"Then I shall put you in a safe place."

The man was longing to assert his authority, but the bearing of the
prisoner thoroughly cowed him, and he felt helplessly bound to be more
civil to him than he wished.

"And what about this lady?" asked Manners.

"Sir Henry's instructions apply equally to her as to you," he replied.

"If she is treated ill you shall answer for it," said Manners,
fiercely, "so I bid you look to it that you treat her well."

"Teach me not," Simon hastily broke in. "I know what is expected
of me, and, mark me, I shall do it. Captives ought not to be too
conceited, mark that, too, an it please you."

"Enough, sirrah, cease thy prating. I am no fool."

"Take him away; take him to the old dungeon," cried Simon, whose
wrath was fast gaining mastery over him; "and mind you double lock the
door."

"The dungeon!" shrieked Dorothy. "No, not the dungeon."

Manners looked round, but there was no chance of escape, nor would he
have cared to have left Dorothy in such a position, even had the way
been clear.

"Sir Henry said he was to be kept in the