mala ut veniant bona_."

Stephen's Latin was not very fresh, and he hardly comprehended the
words, but he stood gazing with a frown of distress on his brow, which
made Lucas say, "My son, thou art sorely bestead. Is there aught in
which a plain old man can help thee, for thy brother's sake? Speak
freely. Brother Cornelis knows not a word of English. Dost thou owe
aught to any man?"

"Nay, nay--not that," said Stephen, drawn in his trouble and perplexity
to open his heart to this incongruous confidant, "but, sir, sir, which
be the worst to break my pledge to my master, or to run into a trial
which--which will last from day to day, and may be too much for me--yea,
and for another--at last?"

The colour, the trembling of limb, the passion of voice, revealed enough
to Lucas to make him say, in the voice of one who, dried up as he was,
had once proved the trial, "'Tis love, thou wouldst say?"

"Ay, sir," said Stephen, turning away, but in another moment bursting
forth, "I love my master's daughter, and she is to wed her cousin, who
takes her as her father's chattel! I wist not why the world had grown
dark to me till I saw a comedy at Ardres, where, as in a mirror, 'twas
all set forth--yea, and how love was too strong for him and for her, and
how shame and death came thereof."

"Those players are good for nought but to wake the passions!" muttered
Lucas.

"Nay, methought they warned me," said Stephen. "For, sir,"--he hid his
burning face in his hands as he leant on the back of a chair--"I wot
that she has ever liked me better, far better than him. And scarce a
night have I closed an eye without dreaming it all, and finding myself
bringing evil on her, till I deemed 'twere better I never saw her more,
and left her to think of me as a forsworn runagate rather than see her
wedded only to be flouted--and maybe--do worse."

"Poor lad!" said Lucas; "and what wouldst thou do?"

"I have not pledged myself--but I said I would consider of--service
among Fulford's troop," faltered Stephen.

"Among those ruffians--godless, lawless men!" exclaimed Lucas.

"Yea, I know what you would say," returned Stephen, "but they are brave
men, better than you deem, sir."

"Were they angels or saints," said Lucas, rallying his forces, "thou
hast no right to join, them. Thine oath fetters thee. Thou hast no
right to break it and do a sure and certain evil to avoid one that may
never befall! How knowst thou how it may be? Nay, if