ome, think again, Walter, and resolve
to leave the court at once. The Lady Hazel shall be protected from
thine enemy so long as Frederick Harleston hath a sword to swing in her
defense. Besides this," he added, "I can contrive to have her leave
the Sanctuary in safety, and go to thee, when thou hast found some fit
abode for both. Thou canst not here avoid the danger that doth
threaten thee; and if thou dost fall a victim to Catesby's vengeance,
bethink thee of the fate that shall then be her's. Let thy love for
thy promised wife o'er-rule thy pride, and resort to flight, where it
is to thy profit."

"Ah! my friend, it is a bitter draught to swallow, my flying from mine
enemy."

"Yes, Walter; but remember that one might better fight a giant, which
is armoured cap-a-pie, holding in his hand a sword of ponderous weight,
with edge as sharp as is thy razors, than match thy strength against a
child, which holds in its puny grasp the seal of power."

I could not help but admit the truthfulness of this statement; but
still I did not relish the idea of fleeing like a hunted animal. I
therefore replied:--

"Well, Frederick, I promise thee to consider and debate within my mind
on what thou hast said. In the morning I will tell thee which hath
conquered, my pride or better reason."

So, wearily throwing ourselves upon the cloaks stretched on the ground,
we soon thought not of danger.

"Ha! thou bloody varmint! Mither-o'-Gawd! ye murtherin' baste!"--A
scuffle, "Thou wouldst scratch? Thare, damn ye, take that!"--A heavy
blow that sounded like unto when one doth strike, with his clenched
fist, his armoured thigh,--a heavy, clattering fall,--more swearing
from Michael.

[Illustration: "Ha, thou bloody varmint."]

These were the confusing and unusual sounds that caused me to awaken
with a start, and in my half dazed state to grasp my sword and shield,
as though by instinct.

"Anither mouve out o' ye and ye'll have moure than a browken arm to
carry to Hill along with yer bloody soul, if thou hast wan, thou
damned, snakein' dawg," again growled Michael, as he stood and shook
his enormous fist over a prostrate form, lying betwixt the door and me,
from which came groans of agony.

"What is it, Michael?" asked Harleston and I, both in the same words,
as we sprang to our feet and stood before the enraged squire.

"Sure, yer honours, its some koind o' baste that useth a dagger with
too great a fradom.

"Loy quoite, ye