ment very intently at the pair, and then let his glance wander
for a moment over the grand fortress of Dynevor and the beautiful valley
it commanded.

Then he turned once more to Wendot with a kindly though penetrating smile.

"In the absence of your father, Wendot, you are the master and guardian
of this castle, its occupants and its treasures. I render my little
daughter into your safe keeping. Of your hands I shall ask her back when
I return in a week's time."

Wendot flushed with pleasure and gratification. What boy does not like
the thought of being looked upon as his father's substitute? He raised
his head with a gesture of pride, and clasped the little soft hand of
Gertrude more closely in his.

"I will take the trust, Lord Montacute," he said. "I will hold myself
responsible for the safety of Lady Gertrude. At my hands demand her when
you return. If she is not safe and well, take my life as the forfeit."

Lord Montacute smiled slightly at the manly words and bearing of the
lad, but he did not like him the less for either. As for little
Gertrude, she gazed up into the bold bright face of Wendot, and clasping
his hand in hers, she said:

"Am I to belong to you now? I think I shall like that, you are so brave
and so kind to me."

The father gave the pair another of his keen looks, and rode off in the
bright morning sunshine, promising not to be very long away.

"I shan't fret, now that I have you and the Lady of Dynevor," said the
child confidingly to Wendot. "I've often been left for a long time at
the palace with the ladies Eleanor and Joanna, and with Alphonso and
Britton, but I shall like this much better. There is no governess here,
and we can do as we like. I want to know everything you do, and go
everywhere with you."

Wendot promised to show the little lady everything she wanted, and led
her in to breakfast, which was a very important meal in those days. All
the four brothers were gathered at the board, and the child looked
rather shyly at the dark-browed twins, whom she hardly knew one from the
other, and whom she regarded with a certain amount of awe. But there was
nothing hostile in the manner of any of the party. Llewelyn was silent,
but when he did speak it was in very different tones from those of last
night; and Howel was almost brilliant in his sallies, and evoked many a
peal of laughter from the lighthearted little maiden. Partings with her
father were of too common occurrence to cause he