ng above them all, and his eyes fixed upon the movements of Lady
Rookwood and her son. He had perceived the anguish of the latter, and
the vehemence of the former, attributing both to their real causes. The
taunts and jeers, threats and insolent inquiries, of the hinds who
thronged around him, passed unheeded; yet one voice in his ear, sharp as
the sting of a serpent, made him start. It was that of the sexton.

"You have done well," said Peter, "have you not? Your fetters are, I
hope, to your liking. Well! a wilful man must have his own way, and
perhaps the next time you will be content to follow my advice. You must
now free yourself, the best way you can, from these Moabites, and I
promise you it will be no easy matter. Ha, ha!"

Peter withdrew into the crowd; and Luke, vainly endeavoring to discover
his retreating figure, caught the eye of Jack Palmer fixed upon himself,
with a peculiar and very significant expression.

At this moment Mr. Coates made his appearance.

"Bring forward the prisoner," said the man of law to his two assistants;
and Luke was accordingly hurried along, Mr. Coates using his best
efforts to keep back the crowd. It was during the pressure that Luke
heard a voice whisper in his ear, "Never fear; all's right!" and turning
his head, he became aware of the propinquity of Jack Palmer. The latter
elevated his eyebrows with a gesture of silence, and Luke passed on as
if nothing had occurred. He was presently confronted with Lady Rookwood
and her son; and, notwithstanding the efforts of Mr. Coates, seconded by
some few others, the crowd grew dense around them.

"Remove his fetters," said Ranulph. And his manacles were removed.

"You will consent to remain here a prisoner till to-morrow?"

"I consent to nothing," replied Luke; "I am in your hands."

"He does not deserve your clemency, Sir Ranulph," interposed Coates.

"Let him take his own course," said Lady Rookwood; "he will reap the
benefit of it anon."

"Will you pledge yourself not to depart?" asked Ranulph.

"Of course," cried the attorney; "to be sure he will. Ha, ha!"

"No," returned Luke, haughtily, "I will not--and you will detain me at
your proper peril."

"Better and better," exclaimed the attorney. "This is the highest joke I
ever heard."

"I shall detain, you, then, in custody, until proper inquiries can be
made," said Ranulph. "To your care, Mr. Coates, and to that of Mr.
Tyrconnel, whom I must request to lend you his assist