s, 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 the passage, Bennet hove in sight. He
seemed to be alone, and he carried in his hand a burning torch, which
made him the better mark.

"Stand, Bennet!" cried Dick. "Another step and y' are dead."

"So here ye are," returned Hatch, peering forward into the darkness. "I
see you not. Aha! y' have done wisely, Dick; y' have put your lamp
before you. By my sooth, but, though it was done to shoot my own knave
body, I do rejoice to see ye profit of my lessons! And now, wha