or old man whose
face this very day hath stabbed me like a dagger. And for this morning,
I did but design to do myself credit, and get fame to marry with, and,
behold! I have brought about the death of your dear kinsman that was good
to me. And what besides, I know not. For, alas! I may have set York
upon the throne, and that may be the worser cause, and may do hurt to
England. O, madam, I do see my sin. I am unfit for life. I will, for
penance sake and to avoid worse evil, once I have finished this
adventure, get me to a cloister. I will forswear Joanna and the trade of
arms. I will be a friar, and pray for your good kinsman's spirit all my
days."

It appeared to Dick, in this extremity of his humiliation and repentance,
that the young lady had laughed.

Raising his countenance, he found her looking down upon him, in the
fire-light, with a somewhat peculiar but not unkind expression.

"Madam," he cried, thinking the laughter to have been an illusion of his
hearing, but still, from her changed looks, hoping to have touched her
heart, "madam, will not this content you? I give up all to undo what I
have done amiss; I make heaven certain for Lord Risingham. And all this
upon the very day that I have won my spurs, and thought myself the
happiest young gentleman on ground."

"O boy," she said--"good boy!"

And then, to the extreme surprise of Dick, she first very tenderly wiped
the tears away from his cheeks, and then, as if yielding to a sudden
impulse, threw both her arms about his neck, drew up his face, and kissed
him. A pitiful bewilderment came over simple-minded Dick.

"But come," she said, with great cheerfulness, "you that are a captain,
ye must eat. Why sup ye not?"

"Dear Mistress Risingham," replied Dick, "I did but wait first upon my
prisoner; but, to say truth, penitence will no longer suffer me to endure
the sight of food. I were better to fast, dear lady, and to pray."

"Call me Alicia," she said; "are we not old friends? And now, come, I
will eat with you, bit for bit and sup for sup; so if ye eat not, neither
will I; but if ye eat hearty, I will dine like a ploughman."

So there and then she fell to; and Dick, who had an excellent stomach,
proceeded to bear her company, at first with great reluctance, but
gradually, as he entered into the spirit, with more and more vigour and
devotion: until, at last, he forgot even to watch his model, and most
heartily repaired the expenses of his d