evidently received an education, took notes
underneath the table. Thus it was that Elaine escaped observation
when she left the refectory.

[Illustration: The Baron setteth forth his Plan for circumuenting the
Dragon]

As she came up-stairs into the hall where Geoffrey was caged, she
stepped lightly and kept where she could not be seen by him. All was
quiet when she entered; but suddenly she heard the iron bars of the
cage begin to rattle and shake, and at the same time Geoffrey's voice
broke out in rage.

"I'll twist you loose," he said, "you--(rattle, shake)--you--(kick,
bang)----" And here the shocking young man used words so violent and
wicked that Elaine put her hands tight over her ears. "Why, he is just
as dreadful as papa, just exactly!" she exclaimed to herself. "Whoever
would have thought that that angelic face--but I suppose they are all
like that sometimes." And she took her hands away again.

"Yes, I will twist you loose," he was growling hoarsely, while the
kicks and wrenches grew fiercer than ever, "or twist myself stark,
staring blind--and----"

"Oh, sir!" she said, running out in front of the cage.

He stopped at once, and stood looking at her. His breast-plate and
gauntlets were down on the floor, so his muscles might have more easy
play in dealing with the bars. Elaine noticed that the youth's shirt
was of very costly Eastern silk.

"I was thinking of getting out," he said at length, still standing and
looking at her.

"I thought I might--that is--you might----" began Miss Elaine, and
stopped. Upon which another silence followed.

"Lady, who sent you here?" he inquired.

"Oh, they don't know!" she replied, hastily; and then, seeing how
bright his face became, and hearing her own words, she looked down,
and the crimson went over her cheeks as he watched her.

"Oh, if I could get out!" he said, desperately. "Lady, what is your
name, if I might be so bold."

"My name, sir, is Elaine. Perhaps there is a key somewhere," she said.

"And I am called Geoffrey," he said, in reply.

"I think we might find a key," Elaine repeated.

She turned towards the other side of the room, and there hung a great
bunch of brass keys dangling from the lock of a heavy door.

Ah, Hubert! thou art more careless than Brother Clement, I think, to
have left those keys in such a place!

Quickly did Elaine cross to that closed door, and laid her hand upon
the bunch. The door came open the next moment, and she ga