u."

"And to me also, my Lord Henry," said Maud, "for it would break my heart
now if you should bear yourself towards me proudly in your own grand
castle."

"I should ill deserve my good fortune, dear Maud, if it made me so
ungrateful as to bear myself proudly towards you. Though I may be the
lord of fifty castles, you will always be to me a second mother."

The next day Henry took his place in the house of Sir Lancelot Threlkeld
as Lord Clifford. He laid aside the peasant's suit of homely grey for a
dress befitting his rank, which Lady Margaret furnished him with from
her husband's wardrobe; and very handsome he looked in a mulberry
coloured vest richly embroidered with gold, a short cloak of blue satin
falling over one shoulder, and a diamond hilted sword by his side, for
such was the fashion of the age.

The faithful Rolf was despatched to Brougham Castle to see that all was
prepared for the reception of its lord; and right well did he execute
the commission. A sumptuous feast was provided, and a grand pageant
prepared to meet him at the castle-gate. All the ancient banners that
had been taken down and thrown aside, were now displayed again in the
hall, and, under the superintendence of Rolf, everything was made to
look just as it did before the banishment of the family.

At length the bright day dawned that was to see Henry de Clifford
restored to the beloved home of his childhood, and the people had
flocked from far and near to hail the return of Brougham's rightful
lord. It was nearly noon when the cavalcade was seen approaching. Then
loud acclamations rent the air, and, as Henry lifted his plumed and
jewelled cap to acknowledge the greeting of the joyous multitude, his
heart was overflowing with gratitude to the Father of all mercies, and
he could scarcely restrain the tears that were ready to gush from his
eyes. He was mounted on a fine grey horse, and on one side of him rode
his lady mother, on the other Sir Lancelot Threlkeld, while behind him
came a fair lady, escorted by a gentleman of noble mien. This was his
sister Elizabeth, who had lived for many years in the Netherlands, and
was married to Sir Robert Aske, a wealthy knight, who was now with her.
They were followed; by a long train of knights and gentlemen and their
attendants, forming a retinue that might have graced a prince, and so
they came onward towards the castle-gate, where a triumphal arch was
erected, on the top of which were two f