tress, she says, charged her
to tell it to none but thee."

"At the hut," repeated Manners, as he started to return. Is she there
now?"

"She is awaiting thee; but, Master Manners, let me crave a favour
first."

"Quick, then," was the hasty reply, "tell me what it is, for I cannot
wait."

"Lettice has been rating me well," returned the downcast lover, as
he started to return with Manners. "She is angered against me that I
followed thee last night. She will not look at me now, and if I open
my mouth about it she swears she will speak to me no more. A word from
thee, good sir, would set the matter right again, else I fear me I
have lost her favour, and there be many round about who would gladly
take my place."

"Oh," laughed Manners, "I will see to that, and happen you may do me
some good service in return?"

"Aye, master, that I will," he replied, mightily relieved.

Manners said no more; his mind was too much occupied, his thoughts
were bubbling within him in furious turmoil. Leaving his companion
behind, he rushed hastily on, and never stayed his course until he had
reached his destination.

"The letter, Lettice, the letter," he cried, as he entered the hut.

"Nay, I have no letter, Master Manners," replied the maid. "My lady
bid me tell it thee instead."

"What is it? Is it yes, or no?" he cried.

"Neither, yet. My mistress went all through the weary night, and
thought of naught else but thee and the answer she should give."

"Poor Doll," ejaculated her lover, tenderly. "'Tis time all this was
ended, Lettice; she is fading away, yes, fading away, and what will
come of it all, if she says me nay, I tremble to think."

"She will not say thee nay, though, Master Manners," replied Lettice.
"I shall lose my mistress soon. She has told me all."

"Told thee all?" he echoed. "She will not say me nay, and yet she
consents not! You speak in riddles. Come, explain it all."

"She knoweth not her mind as yet," explained the maiden, "but I can
plainly see which way it will all end. Even as she poured her story
out to me I could see it; I could read it in her sobs and sighs. She
had not wept so long had she not loved thee so well; and her love for
thee is stronger than her other loves, else she had obeyed my lord the
baron by now. It needs no astrologer to tell all this."

"Heaven grant it may be so," replied Manners, fervently; "but what did
my Dorothy bid thee say? Thy words have made a sore commotion in my
h