our ankle bones. Sit ye
then down, and let us talk. After awhile we shall return, when perchance
they shall be less carefully upon their guard; and, who knoweth? we may
break out and stand a chance. But, in my poor opinion, we are as good as
shent."

"Dick!" she cried, "alas the day that ever ye should have seen me! For
like a most unhappy and unthankful maid, it is I have led you hither."

"What cheer!" returned Dick. "It was all written, and that which is
written, willy nilly, cometh still to pass. But tell me a little what
manner of a maid ye are, and how ye came into Sir Daniel's hands; that
will do better than to bemoan yourself, whether for your sake or mine."

"I am an orphan, like yourself, of father and mother," said Joanna; "and
for my great misfortune, Dick, and hitherto for yours, I am a rich
marriage. My Lord Foxham had me to ward; yet it appears Sir Daniel
bought the marriage of me from the king, and a right dear price he paid
for it. So here was I, poor babe, with two great and rich men fighting
which should marry me, and I still at nurse! Well, then the world
changed, and there was a new chancellor, and Sir Daniel bought the
warding of me over the Lord Foxham's head. And then the world changed
again, and Lord Foxham bought my marriage over Sir Daniel's; and from
then to now it went on ill betwixt the two of them. But still Lord
Foxham kept me in his hands, and was a good lord to me. And at last I
was to be married--or sold, if ye like it better. Five hundred pounds
Lord Foxham was to get for me. Hamley was the groom's name, and
to-morrow, Dick, of all days in the year, was I to be betrothed. Had it
not come to Sir Daniel, I had been wedded, sure--and never seen thee,
Dick--dear Dick!"

And here she took his hand, and kissed it, with the prettiest grace; and
Dick drew her hand to him and did the like.

"Well," she went on, "Sir Daniel took me unawares in the garden, and
made me dress in these men's clothes, which is a deadly sin for a woman;
and, besides, they fit me not. He rode with me to Kettley, as ye saw,
telling me I was to marry you; but I, in my heart, made sure I would
marry Hamley in his teeth."

"Ay!" cried Dick, "and so ye loved this Hamley!"

"Nay," replied Joanna, "not I. I did but hate Sir Daniel. And then,
Dick, ye helped me, and ye were right kind, and very bold, and my heart
turned towards you in mine own despite; and now, if we can in any way
compass it, I would marry you with r