d,
"In the name of God, who sends me this?"

Bitterly did Robin regret that he was totally unprovided with pencil,
tablets, or aught that could convey intelligence to Walter. At another
time his active genius would have found some means of communication, but
his faculties were only half alive, and he could but regret and listen.
It would appear, however, that, as Walter spoke, he was interrupted by
some one entering his chamber, for his voice suddenly ceased, and though
Robin heard it again, it was in converse with another. He listened
attentively for some time, but could catch nothing of the subject upon
which they spoke.

As suddenly as the interview had commenced, so suddenly did it
terminate; for, though Robin threw pieces of stick and fragments of
mortar into the aperture, to intimate that he continued there, no
answering signal was returned. The evening was drawing on, and persons
passed and repassed beneath the tree--some of them with hurried, some
with slower steps: at last the self-same page with whom he had jested
rushed forward in company with the sentinel, and Robin heard him say,--

"I tell you, his Highness will wait no forms; he commanded you instantly
to come to him. It is impossible that a cat could fall from that window
without your seeing it, unless you were asleep on your post."

"I had no caution about the window, master; and, at all events,
nothing, I am sure, could pass from it, except a spirit," replied the
soldier.

Immediately after the guard passed for the purpose of replacing the
sentinel; and about half an hour afterwards, there was a bustle in the
courts, the tramping of brave steeds, and the rolling of
carriage-wheels; then the braying trumpet sounded "to horse!" and soon
the noise of much and stately pageantry was lost in the distance. Robin
Hays cared not to move until the palace was more at rest; but his
meditations were continually disturbed by the passers-by. Had he been
disposed to listen or pay any attention to those who came and went, he
could have heard and seen things, from which much that was bitter and
much that was sweet might have been gathered. He might have observed
that a plain coat or a simple hood changes not the nature of those who
wear it; yet, on the other hand, he would have noted that the plain coat
and simple hood preserve from outward vice, however the inward thoughts
may triumph. But the watchful lynx-eyed ranger was changed, sorely,
sadly changed; in four