fear.
"Oh, Lettice," she sobbed, "tell the baron I love him still, and
Margaret, too. Poor Meg! 'tis hard to be severed thus."
"Hush, my lady," replied the maid. "This is no time for weeping.
Master Manners hath been here awaiting thee. I bade him go, for that
were neither safe for him nor thee."
"You shall join us soon, Lettice. But, O! give my duty to the baron. I
should care naught were it not for him--and Meg; but Margaret is happy
now."
"And so shalt thou be soon. But haste! moments are precious now. Thy
gown and everything has gone, and the brave Master Manners waits for
thee alone. There, go. Hark! someone is coming," and throwing a shawl
over the graceful shoulders of her mistress, Lettice affectionately
embraced her, and watching her hasten down the steps she waited until
Dorothy was out of sight before shutting and barring the doors behind
her.
As Dorothy passed the ballroom, she could hear distinctly the sounds
of merriment within, but she heeded them not. The lights shone through
the open oriel windows right upon her path, but she crept under the
shadow of the wall and passed hastily on. It was a trying time, but
she safely passed through it, and quickly found herself at the little
latchet gate below the bowling green. It stood open, and through it
she hastened, casting neither a look to the right nor to the left, nor
yet behind her, but only anxious that her escape should be unknown.
Down the slope she ran, nor did she stop until she found herself
clasped in the fond embrace of her lover, upon the footbridge.
"My darling," murmured Manners, "thou art come at last. God bless
thee, my love," and he kissed the tear-stained face over and over
again.
"I am ready, John," she murmured; "but quick, hasten! our start will
be short, for they will mark my absence soon."
Bestowing another shower of kisses upon her, Manners led her across
the narrow bridge. How gaily the water danced and sparkled and made
melody amongst the stones! How the wind sighed sweetly and whispered
among the trees, and how the strains of music and the sounds of
revelry sounded through the open windows of the Hall. But of all the
sounds that Manners heard there was none which thrilled him so much,
or caused him so much happiness, as the sound of Dorothy's dress as
it rustled against the walls of the narrow bridge when they passed
through.
Once on the other side there was no delay. The horses were in waiting,
and seizing the
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