ped for a journey. Two other
steeds were now led forth, as if for the attendants. He caught a glimpse
of Grace Gerard's maid, who seemed, by her dress, to be of the party
whose movements he was so anxious to ascertain. He suspected this sudden
departure was for the purpose of escaping without his observance. He
hurried towards the stairs: just entering the corridor, he met Grace
Gerard. She was evidently confused at his appearance. It was but for a
moment; her spirit grappled with the occasion; and she replied firmly,
and with becoming dignity, to his questions.

"Whither away, our beauteous queen?" said he, bowing almost to the
ground. "Are you bound for some isle of the Western Ind, getting the
start of Phoebus in his nightly race to those gem-bearing climes?
Methinks the sun is departing from us, though but just risen."

"'Tis my purpose to depart, Sir John. This clime is too bright, and its
beams too fervid, for a lady's eye."

"One word in sober speech:--Wherefore?"

"I know your question, Sir John. Time hastens, and I reply. Your knight
of the silver mantle I proclaim a recreant, as treacherous as he is
base. Sir John, for my--no, for your own sake"----

"Another stole into his place," said he, interrupting her with great
eagerness. "A base-born changeling!--some villain, who, under this
disguise, abused our honourable intent; but say, peerless princess, to
whose prowess we owe your rescue."

"'Tis my first venture into the unhallowed limits of your licentious
court; and through the grace that hath preserved me harmless, I here
resolve it shall be my last. By your instructions, Sir John, I relied
implicitly on the protection of your friend. He would fain have abused
his trust, but I escaped from the offered insult. Struggling to free my
hand from his grasp, by yonder hill-side, I lost my footing. I fell down
the steep unhurt. Fear lent me unwonted strength, and I escaped unseen,
round the narrow pathway. My discourteous knight thought, doubtless, I
had tumbled into the roaring abyss; for the night mist hung below, and I
heard a huge fragment of rock, loosened in my descent, plunge into the
dimly-rolling waters. Now, hear me: my resolve is taken, and no earthly
influence or persuasion shall stay me. 1 was bewildered, yet flattered
by your follies: foolish and thoughtless enough to frolic and flutter on
the very brink of a precipice. I was dazzled by the glittering but
dangerous excitement. Conscience spoke, b