ever, over the
knight's letter.

"What dost thou say to the project?" he asked Morgan.

"I am pledged to do as Dorothy wishes."

"And thy wish, my lass?"

"Is to go to London."

"I might have guessed that without troubling to ask. My bones are
getting old, and 'tis a long ride."

"We will go at your own pace, father."

"I must think on't; 'tis no light matter for a simple man like myself."

Captain Dawe thought over the matter for a night and a day, and he
consulted half Newnham before he arrived at a decision. He made up his
mind to go. Then came manifold preparations. Clothing and arms
received careful attention. Dolly's best gowns came out of lavender,
and Morgan set the tailor busy upon new doublet and hosen. Master
Jeffreys lodged with the captain, and gave all the benefit of his
impartial advice. The knight's man was a personage in Newnham for more
than a week, and he carried off the dignity in excellent style.
Johnnie bought Dorothy a stout saddle horse to replace the forest pony
she usually rode; and at last, on a sunny morning, the little cavalcade
rode along the river-path towards Gloucester. Several friends and
neighbours went with them as far as the city.

They rested that night in Northleach, over the other side of the hills.
Thence they went through Burford to Oxford; afterwards riding in easy
daily stages through Wycombe and Uxbridge to London town. Halting for
a last time at Mary-le-bone, a few miles from the city gates, where
they cleansed themselves from the dust and soil of travelling, they
rode thence to Charing, along the Strand past Alsatia, the Temple, and
Whitefriars, and, crossing the Fleet River, entered the city by the Lud
Gate, St. Paul's great church looking down on them from the hilltop.

Master Jeffreys halted finally at the "Swanne," in Wood Street off the
Chepe.

Chapter XVII

SIR WALTER AS CHAPERON.

That same evening the Devonshire knight, apprised by Master Jeffreys of
the arrival of his forest friends, paid them a visit in the Wood Street
hostelry. He himself had lodgings at Whitehall, near to the court. He
welcomed them most warmly, paid Dorothy many pretty compliments, and
enjoined the hostess to have the greatest care of her precious charge.

"Let but a hair of Mistress Dawe be injured beneath thy roof,
goodwife," said he, with a twinkle in his eye, "and a whole host of
wild fellows from caves and holes in the mighty forest will swarm
hither for