hom I am indebted for this sage reproof."

So saying, he darted towards the place where the page was concealed, and
Hector, hiding his face as much as possible, bowed with an air of
profound respect before him.

"Ha! whom have we here?" he asked, surveying the page with extreme
curiosity.

"The page of my lady De la Tour;" returned Hector, his laughing eye
drooping beneath the inquisitorial gaze.

"A pretty popinjay, brought out for my lady's amusement!" said the
stranger, smiling; "you make rare sport with your antic tricks, at the
fort yonder, I doubt not, boy."

"I am but a poor substitute for my lord's lieutenant, whose mirth was as
far-famed as his courage;" returned the page, gravely.

"Thou art a saucy knave!" said the other, quickly; but instantly
checking himself, he added, "and how fares it with your lady, in the
absence of her lord?"

"She is well, thank heaven, but"--

"But what?" interrupted the stranger, eagerly; "is any one--has any
misfortune reached her?"

"None, which she has not had the courage to resist; the baffled foe can
tell you a tale of constancy and firmness, which the bravest soldier
might be proud to emulate."

"Bravely spoken, my little page; and your lady doubtless found an able
assistant and counsellor in you! ha! how fared it with you, when the din
of battle sounded in your ears?"

"Indifferently well," said the page, with a suppressed smile; "I am but
a novice in the art of war. But have you learned aught that has befallen
us?"

"A rumour only has reached me, but I hope soon to obtain more accurate
and satisfactory information."

"You will hardly gain admittance to the fort in that harlequin dress,"
said Hector; "and I can save you the trouble of attempting it, by
answering all the inquiries you may wish to make."

"Can you?" asked the other, with an incredulous smile; "then you are
more deeply skilled than I could think, or _wish_ you to be."

"It may be so," returned the page, significantly; "but you will soon
find that the knowledge which you seek to gain, is as well known to me,
as to any one whom you hope to find there."

"You speak enigmas, boy," said the other, sharply; "tell me quickly to
whom, and what you allude?"

"Go, ask my lady," said the page, with provoking calmness; "I may not
betray the secrets of her household."

"You!" said the other, scornfully; "a pretty stripling, truly, to
receive the confidence of your lady."

"If not my lady's," replie