to hear all about thee,
and then I have something to say on my part."

Thus rebuked, Philip seated himself, with the maiden by his side, on
the trunk of a fallen tree, and narrated the circumstances of his
trial and condemnation, and the occurrences at the prison. Some tears
pretty Prudence let fall over parts of his story, while at others her
hazel eyes flashed with indignation, and upon its conclusion she
disclosed in turn the conduct of Spikeman to herself.

"I tell thee all Philip," said Prudence, "because thou dost seem to
doubt about the wickedness of this bad man, who is trying to ruin us
both." She stopped, and hid her face in her hands.

Great was the rage of the soldier at what he had heard.

"By the head of king Charles," he swore, "I will drive my dagger into
his black heart."

He rose in anger, as if about immediately to put his threat into
execution, but the girl threw her arms around him and drew him down.

"That would be certain death to thee, Philip," she said. "We must find
other means to punish him. Besides, I must keep thee safe to serve my
young mistress."

"Thou art right, Prudence, and I am hot and hasty; but does not the
villain deserve the warmest place in Beelzebub's dominions who would
harm thee? Prudence, thou shalt not remain in his house."

"That will I," replied the girl. "Why, who is to wait on my mistress,
and take care of her but me? If mistress Eveline were to hear thy
speech, she would not be over obliged to thee, Master Philip, for
wishing me to desert her."

"You misunderstand me, and that is not my desire. But art not afraid
of the old villain?"

"Me afraid!" exclaimed Prudence, contemptuously, curling her lips; "I
am not half as much afraid of him as I am of thee." And as she uttered
the words, she drew herself a little back from him on the log where
they sat.

"But tell me, my brave robin red-breast," said Philip, casting a look
at the gay cloak which she had thrown around her person, and not
seeming to pay much regard to the latter part of her answer, "how am I
to serve mistress Eveline?"

"O, I know not, yet I dare say we shall be able to turn thee to some
good purpose; men are sometimes so useful!"

"I will recollect thy speech," said the soldier, laughing, "and
promise to teach thee, on a future occasion, how maidens also may be
useful. But hast never a message from mistress Eveline to Master
Arundel, should I chance to see him, for he is often at the place