as able. "You will find him waiting
for them on the bowling green. Tell him I will rejoin him soon."

Lettice unfastened the door and disappeared down the passage in
obedience to the command whilst Dorothy re-arranged her disordered
head-dress, hesitating the while whether to venture out again or to
stay within doors.

Ere she had decided which course to take, Lettice returned. Her face
was deeply flushed and her manner unusually agitated.

"Why, what's the matter?" asked Dorothy. "Has he assailed thee, too?"

"He is telling the baron such a tale," replied the maid. "He says thou
lovest him, and he is asking Sir George and my lady for thy hand. O,
Dorothy, believe me, 'tis only that thou art so fair and so rich that
he seeks thee, and when he has thy gold and the bloom of thy beauty
begins to fade (which God forfend!) he will care naught for thee, and
leave thee for another."

"I know it, Lettice."

"They are in the little bower, and I could hear everything," pursued
the maid. "That De la Zouch is jealous of another, and is seeking to
get him out of the way. He says that Master Manners killed the pedlar,
and 'fore heaven, we all know it was the witch."

"Master Manners?" echoed Dorothy.

"Yes," returned the maid, "and he says he can prove it, but the good
knight, your father, won't believe him. Master Manners denies it, of
course--but lack-a-day, what ails thee now? Thou art as white as the
veriest ghost!"

"'Tis nothing," replied Doll, as she sank down into a chair. "I am a
trifle faint; give me some water, Lettice."

"Nay, but it is something," returned the other, as she speedily
complied with her mistress's behest. "Thou canst not throw me off like
that. Come, my good lady, tell me what it is; there are few things you
hide from me."

"There is nothing to tell you, Lettice," she replied, "but prithee go
on; what did Sir Henry de la Zouch make answer?"

"He said he had a witness, but I had to hasten away, for I heard
footsteps approaching; but come, I can read your secret; Master
Manners will make a worthy knight."

"Keep such thoughts to thyself, Lettice," Dorothy blushingly replied.

"Trust me," said the maid, with a toss of her pretty head. "I will do
thy bidding; but faith! you will be a comely pair."

"Hush, or I shall be angry with thee. I tell thee he has said naught
yet."

"And I tell thee, Mistress Dorothy," returned Lettice, "he is head and
ears in love with thee. I would stake my troth o