y part I do not see how she had the
heart to refuse him. But she continued her way, and swiftly descending
the stairs was found by the company, as they came from the hall,
busily engaged in making passes with Sir Godfrey's sword, which he had
left leaning near the door.

"A warlike daughter, Sir Godfrey!" said Father Anselm.

"Ah, if I were a man to go on a Crusade!" sighed Miss Elaine.

"Hast thou, my daughter," said Father Anselm, "thought better of thy
rash intentions concerning this Dragon?"

"I am travelling towards better thoughts, Father," she answered.

But Sir Francis did not wholly believe the young lady; and was not at
rest until Sir Godfrey assured him her good conduct should be no
matter of her own choosing.

"You see," insinuated the Abbot, "so sweet a maid as yours would be a
treat for the unholy beast. A meal like that would incline him to
remain in a neighbourhood where such dainties were to be found."

"I'll have no legends and fool's tricks," exclaimed the Baron. "She
shall be locked in her room to-night."

"Not if she can help it," thought Miss Elaine. Her father had
imprudently spoken too loud.

"'Twere a wise precaution," murmured Father Anselm. "What are all the
vintages of this earth by the side of a loving daughter?"

"Quite so, quite so!" Sir Godfrey assented. "Don't you think," he
added, wistfully, "that another Crusade may come along soon?"

"Ah, my son, who can say? Tribulation is our meted heritage. Were thy
thoughts more high, the going of thy liquors would not cause thee such
sorrow. Learn to enjoy the pure cold water."

"Good-afternoon," said the Baron.

When all the guests had departed and the door was shut safe behind
them, the Father and his holy companions broke into loud mirth. "The
Malvoisie is drunk up," said they; "to-night we'll pay his lordship's
cellars another visit."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VII

Shows what curious Things you may see,
if you don't go to Bed when you are sent

[Illustration: GEOFFREY]

To have steered a sudden course among dangerous rocks and rapids and
come safe through, puts in the breast of the helmsman a calm content
with himself, for which no man will blame him. What in this world is
there so lifts one into complacency as the doing of a bold and
cool-headed thing? Let the helmsman sleep sound when he has got to
land! But if his content overtake hi