said Mary, solemnly, and
with reproof in her tone and manner. "I know that thou dost not
believe in such things, and therefore they are worthless to thee; for
in order to be protected by these mysterious benefactors, one must have
unquestioned faith in their ability to protect. Now, Sir Frederick,"
she continued, with a slight hesitation, "if thou art not so skeptical
as Walter there, and if thou wilt promise to keep it safe, and not to
lose it, I will lend thee a charm that will indeed protect thee from
all harm. I always have it with me, and nothing hath ever harmed me."

"'Twould truly be a fiendish fate which could send harm unto one so
fair," said he. Then, as she did hand unto him, the charm (which was a
scarf of scarlet silk, and had been given to her by her father, who had
obtained it from a Turk,) he thanked her, and placing his hand over his
heart, he swore to protect it as he would his life, and never to permit
a thought of doubt, as to its ability to protect, to cross his mind.

"Wilt thou not give unto me a charm that I may take with me, Lady
Hazel?" I asked, coaxingly, when we had gone some little way.

"Thou dost not believe in them, and therefore, as Mary doth say, it
would do thee no good," she replied, with a toss of her pretty head, as
much as to say, "Now, thou wouldst be skeptical."

"Do but give it me, and I do hereby swear to trust in it, and no doubt
as to its virtues shall ever cross my mind; yes, this do I swear by all
the saints of paradise." Now this did I consider an exceeding fine
speech, and therefore I was not prepared for the reception that it did
receive, which was a burst of laughter, and clapping of the hands from
Hazel.

"Excellent! excellent!" laughed she; "Oh, Sir Walter, thou hast missed
thy calling; thou wouldst have made such a splendid priest; thou saidst
those words with such a religious tone, and looked so saintly." Then,
as I showed my disappointment and annoyance, "Come, come," she added,
"do not sulk; here is my glove, which I do now command to protect thee
through all the dangers of this war. Now, am I not kind to thee?"

I nearly went wild with delight. I kissed that glove so fondly that
Hazel had to warn me not to eat it, as it would not protect me if I
did. And then I said a lot of things which all my male readers either
have said or are only awaiting an opportunity to say. Presently I was
interrupted in my avowals by coming suddenly upon Harleston and M