as the name of the maiden was
pronounced.

"Scoundrel!" he cried, "weak as I am I would thrash thee well for such
presumption, were I sure you would not visit your displeasure upon
her."

"Do as you list," was the coarse reply, "but I swear Doll is a pretty
lass."

"Come here, you lout," exclaimed a shrill voice, as the door opened
and admitted a buxom woman of forty or thereabouts. "I have found you
at last; come out with you," and she emphasised the command by a smart
clout on his head.

Simon turned quickly round and prepared to retaliate, but quailing
under the stern glance of his better half, he obeyed her will, and
meekly slunk out through the open door.

"I'll teach him, sir, how to behave to his betters," said the woman,
turning to Manners. "He shall have a thrashing for this."

Much amused, the captive esquire thanked her warmly for her kindness.
"But I have another favour to seek at your hands," he said. "I have
had naught to eat as yet, and it is now evening."

"The dial only points to three as yet, sir knight," replied the dame,
who was not quite certain of the quality of the prisoner, "but you
shall have some food."

"Only three! Ah, well. And Mistress Dorothy?" he anxiously inquired.

"She is doing well. She has had a meal already. I have her under my
own care, the sweet creature; heaven bless her! I had come to thee at
her request to bid thee be of good cheer."

"Aye, heaven bless her, for she is in a sorry fix," assented Manners.
"Tend her well, and I will well reward thee. Thou shalt have such
gauds as thy neighbours shall turn green with envy at the sight of
thee."

"I want them not," was the short reply, and Simon Greenwood's dame
passed out of the dungeon, leaving Manners alone with the page.

The door had barely closed before Eustace emerged from his
uncomfortable retreat, covered with insects of many kinds.

"Ha, ha!" he laughed. "Simon boasts that he cares for no man, save his
lord; but he has to care for Dame Greenwood, though, ha, ha! I would
even venture in that vile hole once more to see him thwacked again."

"Thank heaven Mistress Vernon is safe," said Manners. "Simon will not
disturb her, think you?"

"Not he, sir, never fear. Simon Greenwood knows better than that; and,
see, I have brought thee this," and the page pulled out a dagger and
offered it to him.

"Nay, put it back," said Manners kindly. "I would not kill my gaoler,
he is but performing his commands."

"Bu