ork is easy and
well endowed?"

"I only wish for peace in this life," replied the friar. "Mine is a
simple nature, and I care not for the gewgaws and shams of Court. Give
me a good meal and a cup of the right brew, health, and enough for the
day, and I ask no more either of my God or of my King."

Richard sighed. "You ask the greatest thing in the world,
brother--contentment. It is not mine to give or to deny. Yet if I can
help you to find that wondrous jewel, I will do it right heartily." He
glanced curiously from one to the other of the greenwood men. "Which of
you is called Allan-a-Dale?" he asked; and when Allan had come forward,
"So," said Richard, half sternly, "you are the man who stole a bride
from her man at my church doors of Plympton. What have you to say in
excuse of this wickedness?"

"Only that I loved her, sire, and that she loved me," said Allan. "Your
Norman baron would have forced her to wed with him, desiring her lands."

"Which since hath been forfeited by my lord of Hereford," said Richard,
quickly. "I know your story, Allan. Take back your lands and hers from
me this night, and live in peace and loyalty upon them with your dame.
Fennel, she is called, is't not so? 'Tis a pretty name."

"I thank you humbly, sire," said Allan-a-Dale, joyfully. "And Fennel
shall thank you for herself. She will do it far better than I, be sure
of it."

"Where is your dame?" said the King, looking about and half expecting to
find her clad like Marian in boy's attire.

"She also is at Gamewell," said Sir Richard, hastily. "We left her there
this morning when on our way to Copmanhurst. The Princess will take her
into her train, and protect both Mistress Fennel and her lord."

"Our Princess will need a protector for her own self, I am thinking,"
said the King, thoughtfully. "Come hither, Scarlett, and kneel before
me!"

Geoffrey wonderingly did so. "Arise, Geoffrey Earl of Nottingham," cried
Richard, striking his shoulder with the flat of his sword; "take back
your freedom from my hands, and be no more ashamed to attend our Court
disguised and in false pretence. From this moment you have the
overlordship of this forest for your father's sake and mine, and you are
worthy to ask the hand of any woman in this realm."

It was impossible not to perceive the King's gracious meaning, although
Geoffrey could scarce believe in his good fortune. He thanked his King
in a voice full of gratitude and affection. "You did say