ar 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 right goodwill. And if, by cruel
destiny, it may not be, still ye'll be dear to me. While my heart beats,
it'll be true to you."

"And I," said Dick, "that never cared a straw for any manner of woman
until now, I took to you when I thought ye were a boy. I had a pity to
you, and knew not why. When I would have belted you, the hand failed me.
But when ye owned ye were a maid, Jack--for still I will call you Jack--I
made sure ye were the maid for me. Hark!" he said, breaking off--"one
cometh."

And indeed a heavy tread was now audible in the echoing passage, and the
rats again fled in armies.

Dick reconnoitred his position. The sudden turn gave him a post of
vantage. He could thus shoot in safety from the cover of the wall. But
it was plain the light was too near him, and, running some way forward,
he set down the lamp in the middle of the passage, and then returned to
watch.

Presently, at the far end of