hey came within full view of the dim turrets of
Stramen Castle, and the youth kept steadily advancing toward them,
Humbert stopped short, and perceiving that Gilbert still advanced, he
made bold to stay the rash stripling by touching his arm.

Gilbert started and stood still; then said, with cold contempt: "Do you
flinch?"

"From what?" inquired the other, calmly.

"From that mass of stone."

"What have we to do with that?"

"Enter it before an hour."

"And die before an hour," replied Humbert.

"Or live," said Gilbert, rather to himself than to his attendant, and
resuming his rapid advance.

Humbert stood awhile, rooted to the ground, in mute amazement at his
lord's inexplicable behavior. But every moment was precious. He sprang
forward, and again seizing Gilbert's arm, he threw himself on his knees.

"My dear lord!" he exclaimed, "I conjure you in the name of your father
to desist from this madness, and to return! You are rushing upon certain
destruction! You are flinging away your life! Remember it is Monday! The
arm of our blessed mother, the Church, cannot protect you to-day! My
wife and my children will be left without a father, and the lordship of
Hers without an heir!" Here the honest yeoman burst into tears, but the
youth's determination was taken. He disengaged himself from his
follower's grasp, and said, resolutely, but kindly:

"Return!"

"And leave you to perish alone?" cried Humbert, springing to his feet.
"No, no! I am no craven! And why should I return? To be reproached with
having seduced my lord into danger, and then basely deserted him? If you
advance, I go with you, though I cannot guess your object, or justify
your seeming madness. But I implore you to remember your duty as a son
and as a Christian, and not to take a step that will make your enemies
exult and your friends tear their hair in sorrow!"

For a moment the noble stood irresolute; but the next instant he seized
Humbert's hand with a vice-like grip, and whispered in his ear, "I must
see the Lady Margaret!"

Without waiting for a reply, Gilbert strode forward. Before the
drawbridge was gained, Humbert had recovered himself, and was prepared
to put forth all his daring and skill to extricate themselves from the
consequences of this perilous adventure.

"Ho! warder!" he cried, in a confident tone, "a minnesinger--Ailred of
Zurich--and his harp-bearer, wet and fasting. Shelter in the name of
God!"

Down came the drawbridge,