placed the bow there for fault of better care. Hence, so must we if we
are to live in town. So says my new hair-dresser from Paris. 'Tis to
Paris we must go for the modes."

"I am not so sure," began Mary Connynge, "as to this arrangement. Now I
am much disposed to believe--" but what she was disposed to believe at
that time was not said, then or ever afterward, for at that moment there
happened matters which ended their little talk; matters which divided
their two lives, and which, in the end, drove them as far apart as two
continents could carry them.

"O Gemini!" called out Mary Connynge, as the coachman for a moment
slackened his pace. "Look! We shall be robbed!"

The driver irresolutely pulled up his horses. From under the shade of
the hedge there arose two men, of whom the taller now stood erect and
came toward the carriage.

"'Tis no robber," said Lady Catharine Knollys, her eyes fastened on the
tall figure which came forward.

"Save us," said Mary Connynge, "what a pretty man!"

CHAPTER III

JOHN LAW OF LAURISTON

Unconsciously the coachman obeyed the unvoiced command of this man, who
stepped out from the shelter of the hedge. Travel-stained, just awakened
from sleep, disheveled, with dress disordered, there was none the less
abundant boldness in his mien as he came forward, yet withal the grace
and deference of the courtier. It was a good figure he made as he
stepped down from the bank and came forward, hat in hand, the sun, now
rising to the top of the hedge, lighting up his face and showing his
bold profile, his open and straight blue eye.

"Ladies," he said, as he reached the road, "I crave your pardon humbly.
This, I think, is the coach of my Lord, the Earl of Banbury. Mayhap this
is the Lady Catharine Knollys to whom I speak?"

The lady addressed still gazed at him, though she drew up with dignity.

"You have quite the advantage of us," said she. She glanced uneasily at
the coachman, but the order to go forward did not quite leave her lips.

"I am not aware--I do not know--," she began, afraid of her adventure
now it had come, after the way of all dreaming maids who prate of men
and conquests.

"I should be dull of eye did I not see the Knollys arms," said the
stranger, smiling and bowing low. "And I should be ill advised of the
families of England did I not know that the daughter of Knollys, the
sister of the Earl of Banbury, is the Lady Catharine, and most charming
also. This I mi