ago may be."

The personage who thus accosted them was dressed in a plain leathern cap
and doublet, with a pair of stout hose that would not have disgraced a
burgher of the first magnitude; his short and frizzled beard was
curiously twirled and pointed, we may suppose after the fashion of those
regions; and his manner and appearance was that of some confidential
menial belonging to the establishment. His whole demeanour had in it an
air of impertinent authority; his little sharp eyes twinkled in all the
plenitude of power, and peered in the faces of the travellers as they
alighted to render him an unwilling salutation.

"We have made the best of our road, Master Geoffery, since we left our
quarters in Netherdale. But, in troth, it's a weary way, and a drouthy
one into the bargain: I have not wet even the tip of this poor beast's
nose since we started."

"Go to; an' the beasts be cared for, thine own muzzle may take its
chance of a swill. Willy, see to the horses. Now for business. Master
has been waiting for you these three hours: make what excuse you may.
Heigh-ho! my old skull will leak out my brains soon with these
upsittings."

Taking a small lamp from a recess, he commanded the strangers to follow.
A wide staircase led to the gallery, from whence a number of low doors
communicated with the chambers or dormitories. Entering a passage from
an obscure corner, they ascended a winding stair. The huge and terrific
spars of the intruders struck with a shrill clank on the narrow steps,
mingled with the grumblings of Master Geoffery Hardpiece; a continual
muttering was heard from the latter, by way of running accompaniment to
the directions which, ever and anon, he found it needful to set forth.

"There--an ass, a very ass!--keep thy face from the wall, I tell thee,
and lift up thy great leathern hoofs."

Then came another series of murmurings, mingled with confused and
rambling sentences.

"This stair is like old Giles's horn, it's long a-winding. Now,--thy
spurs, is it? Aroynt thee, knave, thou art like to frighten the children
with their clattering. They are up, and ready for their trip. Alice will
stitch a pillow to your pummels, and they'll ride bravely, the pretty
dears. Stop there, I tell ye; I'll just say that you wait his pleasure,
and return."

Old Hardpiece tapped gently at a small door; it was opened hastily; and
a few moments only elapsed ere Master Geoffery's cunning face was
cautiously extended out