h with himself for the rude and uncouth tongue which had
given offence where so little was intended.

He had gone some way, lost in doubt and in self-reproach, his mind all
tremulous with a thousand new-found thoughts and fears and wonderments,
when of a sudden there was a light rustle of the leaves behind him, and,
glancing round, there was this graceful, swift-footed creature, treading
in his very shadow, with her proud head bowed, even as his was--the
picture of humility and repentance.

"I shall not vex you, nor even speak," she said; "but I would fain keep
with you while we are in the wood."

"Nay, you cannot vex me," he answered, all warm again at the very sight
of her. "It was my rough words which vexed you; but I have been thrown
among men all my life, and indeed, with all the will, I scarce know how
to temper my speech to a lady's ear."

"Then unsay it," cried she quickly; "say that I was right to wish to
have vengeance on the Socman."

"Nay, I cannot do that," he answered gravely.

"Then who is ungentle and unkind now?" she cried in triumph. "How stern
and cold you are for one so young! Art surely no mere clerk, but bishop
or cardinal at the least. Shouldst have crozier for staff and mitre
for cap. Well, well, for your sake I will forgive the Socman and take
vengeance on none but on my own wilful self who must needs run into
danger's path. So will that please you, sir?"

"There spoke your true self," said he; "and you will find more pleasure
in such forgiveness than in any vengeance."

She shook her head, as if by no means assured of it, and then with a
sudden little cry, which had more of surprise than of joy in it, "Here
is Bertrand with the horses!"

Down the glade there came a little green-clad page with laughing eyes,
and long curls floating behind him. He sat perched on a high bay horse,
and held on to the bridle of a spirited black palfrey, the hides of both
glistening from a long run.

"I have sought you everywhere, dear Lady Maude," said he in a
piping voice, springing down from his horse and holding the stirrup.
"Troubadour galloped as far as Holmhill ere I could catch him. I trust
that you have had no hurt or scath?" He shot a questioning glance at
Alleyne as he spoke.

"No, Bertrand," said she, "thanks to this courteous stranger. And now,
sir," she continued, springing into her saddle, "it is not fit that I
leave you without a word more. Clerk or no, you have acted this day as
becomes