y, dear
Knight; let us go."

She stood on the Castle wall, gazing at the blood-red banners of the
sunset, flaming from the battlements of a veritable city of gold; then,
shading her eyes, turned to look once again along the road.

And, at that moment, out from the dark fir wood there rode a horseman,
alone.

For one moment only did her heart leap in the wild belief that Hugh had
returned. The next instant she knew this could not be he; even before
her eyes made out a stranger.

She watched him leave the road, and turn up the winding path which led
to the Castle gate; saw the porter go to the grating in answer to a
loud knocking without; saw him fetch old Zachary, who in his turn sent
for Martin Goodfellow; upon which the gates were opened wide, and the
stranger rode into the courtyard.

Whereupon Mora thought it time that she should descend from the
battlements and find out who this unexpected visitor might be.

At the head of the great staircase, she met Martin.

"Lady," he said, "there waits a man below who urgently desires speech
with Sir Hugh. Learning from us that the Knight hath ridden south, and
is like to be away some days longer, he begs to have word with you,
alone; yet refuses to state his business or to give his name. Master
Zachary greatly hopeth that it may be your pleasure that we bid the
fellow forthwith depart, telling him--if he so will--to ride back in
six days' time, when the worshipful Knight, whom he desires to see,
will have returned."

Mora knitted her brows. It did not please her that Zachary and Martin
Goodfellow should arrange together what she should do.

"Describe him, Martin," she said. "What manner of man is he?"

"Swarthy," said Martin, "and soldierly; somewhat of a dare-devil, but
on his best behaviour. Zachary and I would suggest----"

"I will see him," said Mora, beginning to descend the stairs. "I will
see him in the banqueting hall, and alone. You, Martin, can wait
without, entering on the instant if I call. Tell Zachary to bid them
prepare a meal of bread and meat, with a flagon of wine, or a pot of
good ale, which I may offer to this traveller, should he need
refreshment."

She was standing in the banqueting hall, on the very spot where Hugh
had kneeled at their parting, when the swarthy fellow, soldierly, yet
somewhat of a dare-devil, entered.

Most certainly he was on his best behaviour. He doffed his cap at
first sight of her, advanced a few paces, t