d him hard and
fast to yon pillar, and strip him of his helm. We shall now try
another plan to capture yon same tempting apple," and he nodded in
Hazel's direction.

With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle. Helmless and
helpless I then stood before my fiendish foe, which drew his dagger and
advanced upon me.

"Stop! stop, thou wretch!" shrieked Hazel. "For the welfare of your
soul slay not a helpless man. Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! I
will do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thou
wilt, if thou wilt but spare him!"

"Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as I
have said! I fear him not; let him do his worst; but use thy dagger
ere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!"

"Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my very
eyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!" she cried, as Catesby
seized mine ear and with his dagger clipped off a small part of the
lobe.

The tough oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but it
was plain that it could not long endure.

"Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!" I
called out above the din.

"So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unless
thou dost surrender. Thou canst save him by coming from behind that
table. Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate," said the
accursed knave, as he seized mine other car and raised the dagger.

The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael still
stormed his blows upon it.

"Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in a
minute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces and
cram ye down yer own bloody throats!"

Louder cracked the door.

"Come, lady, your answer; make haste e'er the door giveth way."

"Hold out, my brave girl! we yet shall conquer!" I cried in
encouragement.

Hazel leaned forward, with her left hand leaning upon the table, her
body stretched forward, her lips compressed until no colour did remain
in them. With her right hand she struck, quickly, the dagger into the
table's top, then drew it out and struck again. Still was she
silent,--and a small piece came off mine other ear.

"Oh, God! God! God! it is too much! too much!" shrieked the poor
maiden; and, throwing her hands above her head, she fell forward upon
the table as though she were dead.

Catesby and one of his men then r