overy.
The fierce soldiers shrunk away from her, as if appalled by her gaunt,
spectral look, or too much scared by her sudden appearance to attempt
detaining her. The eye of Nigel involuntarily turned from his foe to
follow her; he recognized the veil, and fancy did the rest. He saw her
near a part of the wall which was tottering beneath the engines of the
English; there was a wild shriek in other tones than hers, the wall
fell, burying the maniac in its ruins. A mist came over the senses of
the young knight, strength suddenly fled his arm, he stepped back as to
recover himself, but slipped and fell, the violence of the fall dashing
his sword many yards in air. "I yield me true prisoner, rescue or no
rescue," he said, in a tone so startling in its agony that the rudest
heart beside him shrunk within itself appalled, and for a minute
Lancaster checked the words upon his lips.

"Nay, nay, yield not in such tone, my gallant foe!" he said, with eager
courtesy, and with his own hand aiding him to rise. "Would that I were
the majesty of England, I should deem myself debased did I hold such
gallantry in durance. Of a truth, thou hast robbed me of my conquest,
fair sir, for it was no skill of mine which brought thee to the ground.
I may thank that shrieking mad woman, perchance, for the preservation
of my laurels."

"I give you thanks for your courtesy, my lord," replied Sir Nigel,
striving to recover himself; "but I pray you pardon me, if I beseech you
let that falling mass be cleared at once, and note if that unhappy woman
breathes. Methought," he added, in stronger agitation, "she carried
something in her arms."

"She did," answered many voices; "some child or girl, who was
struggling, though the head was muffled up as if to prevent all sounds."

"See to it, and bring us news of what you find," said Lancaster,
hastily, for the same ghastly expression passed over the countenance of
his prisoner as had startled him at first. "Thou art not well, my good
lord?" he continued kindly.

"Nay, I am well, my lord; but I will go with you," replied the young
knight, slowly, as if collecting strength ere he could speak. "I am
wearied with the turmoil of the last twelve hours' fighting against fire
and sword at once; I would fain see the noble Hereford, and with his
permission rest me a brief while."

Lancaster made no further comment, and the two knights, who but a few
minutes before had been engaged in deadly strife, now made the