a respectful
distance by six horsemen.

The Princess watched them in happy indifference. Her frank glance roved
from one to the other of the would-be steadfast faces before her. She
turned her head to gaze again at the absorbed old man who led the
company.

Then she checked herself in a little exclamation; and hastily averted
her face. It was too late, the old fellow had been roused from his
apathy. He reined in his grey horse, and asked over his shoulder: "Who
are these, Jacquelaine?"

The esquire so addressed at once rode forward, but before he could speak
his master had discovered an answer for himself. He had fixed fierce
eyes upon Master Scarlett, and made a scornful gesture. "So 'tis you,
Geoffrey, daring death now for the sake of some country wench? Ay, but
you will end upon the gallows, for sure."

"I shall not ask you to pray at my bedside," retorted Scarlett,
bitterly.

The Princess suddenly whipped round. "Who are you, Sir Churl, to talk of
gallows and the like to us? Hast come from a hanging thyself? There is
one a foot in Nottingham, I mind me."

It was now the turn of the old knight to exclaim. "Princess, _you_?"
gasped he, in sheer amaze. He tumbled from his horse to the ground, and
with old-fashioned courtesy knelt before her. She put out her hand for
him to kiss.

"Rise, Master Montfichet, I pray you, 'tis not your place to kneel to
me," she said, with her little Court smile.

The other horsemen had dismounted and now stood apart from the trio. The
Princess was the first to speak, so soon as the old Squire had risen.
"Master Montfichet and Will Scarlett, pray let me make you known to each
other," she said, prettily. "This is Squire George of Gamewell, a good
friend and honest adviser to me, although I do not always listen to him
as I should," she laughed, easily. "_This_ is Master Will Scarlett, whom
I have known both in France and now again in England. He hath but now
saved me from a dreadful death."

She paused; then added quickly and a little nervously: "My life is his,
in short, Master Montfichet, and so--and so I have given it to him. We
are to be married, and live in the greenwood. Therefore, you are not to
speak slightingly of Master Scarlett in my presence."

Consternation, astonishment and gratification struggled together
mightily in the Squire's breast. "Geoffrey, you!" he said again. "But
this is beyond belief."

"Therefore believe it," spoke the Princess, lightly; "for _that_