t
branch . . . what? . . . and also must remain here until then? . . . I
see--it was that or die . . . no? . . . Oh! that or be bound? . . .
well, truly the knaves were wondrous courteous!" . . . She studied De
Lacy's face a moment--then sat down. "Would you like company?" she
asked.

Would he like company! Her company!

She laughed gayly--though a bit of color touched her cheek.

"Thank you," she said, "I can read your countenance better than your
bows."

Then suddenly his face grew grave and he motioned no.

"Yes, and I can understand that, too," she smiled, "and thank you for
it. It may be a trifle uncommon to sit here in the depths of Windsor
forest with a man I never met . . . never even saw until last
night . . . and who has never spoken a single word to me . . . yet"
(glancing at the sun) "the time is not long and . . . the path is
rarely traveled."

He smiled--but the concern lingered in his eyes and he shook his head
questioningly.

"Nay, sir, do you not see your very urging me to go proves me safe in
staying?"

He hesitated, still doubtful--then threw himself on the turf at her
feet.

"I suppose it is for me to do the talking," she observed.

And as she talked he fell to watching the sun in her hair--the play of
her lips--the light in her eyes. . . . Never before would he have
believed that grey could be so deep and tender; or that a mouth could
be so tantalizing; or the curve of a cheek so sweet; or ruddy tresses
so alluring. . . . And her voice--was there ever such another!--soft,
low, clear, like silver bells at twilight out at sea.

And in the watching he lost her words, nor nodded when he
should--until, at length, she sprang up and went over to her horse.
And when in sharp contrition he followed after to apologize, she met
him with a laugh and gracious gesture--then pointed to the sun.

"The parole is lifted," she said. "Will you put me up?"

With his sound arm he swung her into saddle--and with Rollo in advance
and him beside her they went slowly back to Windsor. And now he did
the talking--telling first the story of the outlaws.

When the towers of the huge castle showed afar through the trees, De
Lacy halted.

"Would you deem me rude if I went no further with you?" he asked.

She smiled kindly. "On the contrary, I would deem you very wise."

"I care not to proclaim my adventure with the outlaws. It would make
me a merry jest in the hall."

"I understand--and yet, wo