, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with your
great sword, you drove him senseless from his horse."

"But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment.

Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caught
fairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemed
greatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt.

"What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whom
Michael did show such attention?"

"In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend to
tell thee yet."

"And was Mary the other?"

"Yes."

"Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot."

"Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth."

"Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughingly
replied.

"Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore the
whole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and patted
me on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked.

"Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all do
meet."

Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had I
partaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my side
the truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. And
there was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching us
with admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sat
together, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingers
had put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to her
arrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of soft
moonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens.

"Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our old
happy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel.

"Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that are
now past make us to appreciate happiness the more."

And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should now
be well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old house
that had stood waiting for its young master for many a day.

Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubts
as to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming from
some room within the house.

Michael's quick ear had heard it also; for he glanced anxiously first
to me and then to Hazel. She too had heard it, and her face changed