lied, cutting him short in the middle of his speech,
and, finding herself at liberty, she rushed precipitately into the
Hall.

De la Zouch gazed after her in mute astonishment, and, staggered as he
was, he remained in the same position until he was startled by a voice
behind him.

"At prayers, sir knight?" asked the baron. "Father Phillip's grace at
the table was long enough to serve me through the day."

"No, Sir George," replied the crestfallen lover, "I have been pleading
my suit with Dorothy."

"And what said she?"

"She is bashful."

"What! My Doll bashful? That were hardly polite to thee, methinks."

"Perchance I should have more success with thee?" pleaded Sir Henry,
as pathetically as he could.

"Let us withdraw into the bower, then," replied Sir George, "we can
talk it over there, and we shall not be disturbed. Ha! here comes Lady
Vernon, she will know what to do."

Lady Vernon came up at the bidding of her lord. The lover would fain
have seen Sir George alone, but there was no help for it, and he had
to brave the circumstances with the best grace possible.

"Maude, we must take your counsel," began the baron. "Sir Henry de la
Zouch would take advantage of to-day's festivity to ask for the hand
of Doll. What think you; can we spare her too, as well as Margaret? We
should lose them both together then. What dost thou advise?"

"That depends upon many things," replied the stately dame, as she
seated herself. "Dorothy would be a splendid match for anybody. What
has Sir Henry to say?"

"I hope to be an earl soon," he replied, "and she would be a countess
as you will. My father is infirm, he cannot live much longer, and
I expect news of his death from Florence every day. And as for the
estates, though they may not be equal to those of Haddon, yet they are
by no means insignificant."

Dame Vernon knew all this, and the knowledge of it had influenced her
before; but lately she had heard ill tidings of Sir Henry, and she
was by no means so enthusiastic on his behalf. And, besides, a fresh
competitor had entered the lists.

"Humph," growled the old knight, "we don't want to sell the girl."

"Be quiet, Sir George," interrupted his worthy spouse. "The thing must
be done properly. Does Ashby Castle fall to your share, sir knight?"
she asked.

"Certainly. To whom else should it go?"

"Have you spoken to Doll about it?" continued the dame.

"She is too dutiful a daughter to commit herself without the c