th, we have all
done amiss--and begin again. We have no Margaret now, and without
Doll, gone in such a fashion withal, we were miserable indeed."

"We must have more balls and feasts," quickly suggested Lady Maude.
"They will heal our wounds."

"Balls and feasts!" repeated the baron. "Nay, we are too old for those
now. We should only get Benedict and old De Lacey to come, for, by my
halidame, squires and knights won't come to see us now Meg and Doll
are gone, and then, Maude, after all, you know," he continued slyly,
"love will have its own way, and you trow full well that folk blamed
me enough when I wedded."

Lady Maude blushed. The comments on her marriage with the baron had
been by no means what she might have wished, as the remembrance of
them was not particularly pleasant to her even now, so she discreetly
held her peace.

"We cannot blame her, Maude," went on Sir George, waxing enthusiastic
as the love of Dorothy asserted itself more and more within him. "We
are all alike to blame, and had I been John Manners myself, I should
maybe have done just what he has done. Who could help it, eh, Maude?
Not I, in truth; and then, Manners has done us good service, too. We
must welcome them back, and make them happy if we can. I shall send a
message off now."

Before his feelings had found time to change--even had he so
wished--he scrawled a note of forgiveness to the fugitives, praying
them to return, and before he returned to his wife the messenger was
on his way.

* * * * *

A warm welcome awaited gallant John Manners and his beautiful lady as,
a week later, they were met by the fond father just outside Haddon.

Impatiently, the baron had awaited their return. For two whole days
he had done little else than watch for their coming, from the loftiest
portion of the tall eagle tower, and when at last the little cavalcade
could be distinguished in the far distance, wending its way with all
possible haste towards the Hall, he started off to meet them.

It was a glad reunion. Even Lady Maude was touched, as she met them in
the courtyard, and with much more kindliness than she had been wont
to treat Doll for some time, she kissed the upraised face; Manners
received a stately bow. He, at all events, had much to be forgiven
yet; but the baron, casting the last particle of pride to the winds,
warmly and repeatedly embraced his daughter, and frankly greeted her
husband.

The menials with