ermitting the printing of the
book. And that evening, as I observed, Master Walgrave even
condescended to speak to the maiden himself. And last of all, when she
told him prettily that she was rich enough to recompense him for his
hospitality, and begged him take charge of her purse so long as she
lodged with him, he had no more to say, but let her go in and out as she
pleased, pledging her only to speak not a word of her religion to
Jeannette or anyone else in his house.

It was not much I saw of her; for, despite her liberty, she never
strayed beyond the little garden, and many a day kept close to her
chamber. Yet often I heard of her from Jeannette, and now and again she
herself enquired for me, and asked me to walk with her.

I soon learned what little she had to tell of her own adventures. After
leaving Dunluce she had been kept close prisoner in Toome Castle by her
old step-dame, despite her father's protest, who had no more voice in
his own house than a dog and was not sorry to escape from it to
Castleroe. The English soldier who had been sent to guard her was not
admitted within the walls, but paced--faithful fellow--outside, within
sight of her window, the only reminder she had of the happiness she had
lost. Presently rumours came that Ludar had been slain in battle; and
after a while Captain Merriman came on a visit. Happily, this time, he
returned not to the violence with which he had persecuted her at
Castleroe, but tried to win her by civilities which were scarcely less
loathsome to her than his old rudenesses. Amongst other things, he told
her Ludar had cursed her for being his brother's murderess; and that he
believed it was true, as had been reported, that the young McDonnell was
slain. And two days after, to confirm this, an officer came to the
Castle with news that Ludar's head was set on a pole above the gate at
the Bridge of Dublin.

After that, the maiden said, she wished no longer to live. For she knew
not what to believe; or how much was a wicked plot to deceive her into
yielding to the Captain. Presently her father came home, and she begged
him on her knees to send her to England. He consented; but when my Lady
heard of it, she took the whim to go to Court too, and invited the
Captain to be their escort. So nothing was gained by that move--or
nothing would have been gained, had not Providence directed that Captain
Merriman and my Lady should grievously fall out on the journey about