thee to wear
thine arm, as best becomes thee--in a noose, and where thy neck should
be."

"Ho, ho! sets the wind there? I might have known so much," said he, as
he sneered, and shrugged his one sound shoulder.

"Be assured sir, thou shalt know more ere thou hast heard the last of
this," said my dear maid, as she again turned to leave the knave.

"Nay, not so fast, my fair one. In sooth you escape not so;" and he
tried to seize her by the arm.

But Hazel was now thoroughly frightened, and she avoided his hand and
commenced to run. He sprang after her and caught her firmly by the
wrist; but she, seeing that she was fairly caught, struggled like a
tigress, and broke loose. Hotly did he pursue her, and again tried to
seize her arm. She, however, swung quickly around a large oak. In
following he struck his wounded shoulder against the tree; the wound,
but partly healed, must have broken open afresh, for, with a groan, he
fell down in a faint, as though by the hand of God. Hazel got but a
glimpse of him as he fell; for she slackened not her pace until she
reached her room and threw herself upon her bed, and burst out aweeping.

Gentle cousin Mary at last succeeded in comforting her; but after that
the dear maids did not again walk in that park, until some great
changes had been wrought at court, and throughout all England; and
then, when they did go, they were guests, without attachment to the
court.

Mary had told Harleston all about Hazel's experience with Catesby; so
it was from him that I heard it.

When he had finished I leaped to my feet and swore an oath, which
methinks it best not to set down in writ, as it might not have a good
effect upon the morals of some of my younger grandsons.

"Calmly, my friend, calmly," said Frederick, in his quiet way; "have
patience; thou shalt yet have an opportunity for making the scoundrel
pay dearly for his act."

"Hell and furies! Harleston, speak not to me of being calm. Do but
think of that dear girl being subject to such insults. By Heaven I
swear I shall never rest in peace until I have caused his death!" and I
tore about the room, stamping my feet, and overturning whatever
furniture I did come across. "Heaven, why are such dogs permitted to
live? Harleston, I would give my right hand to but have that low-lived
knave by the throat." Here I clasped my hands, in a grip of steel and
tried to imagine that I held him by the neck. 'Twas my wounded arm
that sto