tice. To you, then, I will yield
me prisoner, and that blithely, foregoing the advantage of this holy
place. But rather than to be yielded into the discretion of that
man--whom I do here accuse with a loud voice to be the murderer of my
natural father and the unjust detainer of my lands and revenues--rather
than that, I would beseech you, under favour, with your own gentle hand,
to despatch me on the spot. Your own ears have heard him, how before
that I was proven guilty he did threaten me with torments. It standeth
not with your own honour to deliver me to my sworn enemy and old
oppressor, but to try me fairly by the way of law, and, if that I be
guilty indeed, to slay me mercifully."

"My lord," cried Sir Daniel, "ye will not hearken to this wolf? His
bloody dagger reeks him the lie into his face."

"Nay, but suffer me, good knight," returned the tall stranger; "your own
vehemence doth somewhat tell against yourself."

And here the bride, who had come to herself some minutes past, and
looked wildly on upon this scene, broke loose from those that held her,
and fell upon her knees before the last speaker.

"My Lord of Risingham," she cried, "hear me, in justice. I am here in
this man's custody by mere force, reft from mine own people. Since that
day I had never pity, countenance, nor comfort from the face of man--but
from him only--Richard Shelton--whom they now accuse and labour to undo.
My lord, if he was yesternight in Sir Daniel's mansion, it was I that
brought him there; he came but at my prayer, and thought to do no hurt.
While yet Sir Daniel was a good lord to him he fought with them of the
Black Arrow loyally; but when his foul guardian sought his life by
practices, and he fled by night, for his soul's sake, out of that bloody
house, whither was he to turn--he, helpless and penniless? Or if he be
fallen among ill company, whom should ye blame--the lad that was
unjustly handled, or the guardian that did abuse his trust?"

And then the short young lady fell on her knees by Joanna's side.

"And I, my good lord and natural uncle," she added, "I can bear
testimony, on my conscience and before the face of all, that what this
maiden saith is true. It was I, unworthy, that did lead the young man
in."

Earl Risingham had heard in silence, and when the voices ceased he still
stood silent for a space. Then he gave Joanna his hand to arise, though
it was to be observed that he did not offer the like courtesy to her w