unded and without bonnet or doublet, you will
not pass unnoted; an explanation will be obligatory."

"The wound is easy," he said; "my own dagger made it, you remember--but
the doublet and bonnet, particularly the doublet, are bothersome."

She looked at him with quick decision.

"I will manage that," she said; "your squire shall bring both to you
here."

De Lacy's face lighted with sudden pleasure, and he put out his hand
toward hers--then drew it sharply back and bowed.

"Still bowing?" she said naively.

"I have no words to speak my gratitude," he said.

"And I no ears that wish to hear them, if you had," she laughed. "This
morning you have had much trouble--I much pleasure--the scales are
balanced--the accounts canceled. We will forget it all. Never will I
mention it to you--nor you to me--nor either to another. When we meet
again it will be as though to-day had never been. . . Nay, sir, it
must be so. You have been unfortunate, I unconventional--it is best
for both we start afresh."

"But am I not even to know your name?" he protested.

She shook her head. "Not even that, now, and I ask your word not to
seek to know it--until we meet again."

"You have it," said he, "until we meet again--to-morrow."

She smiled vaguely. "It will be a far to-morrow . . . good-bye, my
lord," and rode away--then turned. "Wait for your squire," she called.

"And for to-morrow," he cried.

But she made no answer, and with a wave of her hand was gone, the dog
leaping in front of her and baying loud with joy.

II

RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

But the morrow brought no maid, nor a fortnight of morrows--she had
vanished; and seek as he might at Windsor or through the Tower he could
not find her. Had he been privileged to inquire the quest would have
been ended by a word--but she herself had closed his lips to questions.

Then the mighty Edward died, and all was confusion in the Court; and
what with the funeral, the goings and the comings, the plottings and
the intrigues, De Lacy was in a maze. The boy King was at Ludlow with
Rivers, and it was Nobility against Queen and Woodville until he came
for his crowning. And in the turmoil De Lacy was forced to cease, for
the nonce, the pursuit of ruddy tresses and grey eyes, and choose where
he would stand. And presently that choice sent him riding into the
North--bearing a message to the man in distant Pontefract, upon whom,
at that moment, all England was waiting