beyond yonder gates. Have I your promise, my lord?"

"If Sir Ralph de Wilton be willing, I am content. Doubtless I was
hasty," Darby answered with well-assumed frankness, his passion quickly
curbed.

"And you, Sir Ralph?" the Abbot queried.

"Am content, even as Lord Darby. I have no cause for quarrel," De
Wilton replied indifferently.

Darby bowed curtly in acknowledgment; then sprang into saddle.

"I shall gallop straight to Pontefract;"--addressing De Lacy--"I may
aid in the search. Have you any message for the King?"

"Only that you left us at Kirkstall."

Darby gave him a quick, searching look. "It is a very meagre report."

De Lacy smiled. "There has naught happened since we crossed the Aire;
and what was discovered between the Castle and the river has already
been communicated to the King."

The Abbot watched Darby pass the gate. "His lordship would have liked
much to know what you found at the Hermit's Cell and in the forest," he
remarked.

"Doubtless, though it was little enough," said Aymer. "However, it is
but a few leagues to Pontefract and there he will learn all the news of
the Court."

"True, my son; yet, to an ardent lover and one not without hope of
acceptance if rumor speak correctly, it would have been a satisfaction
to know if you have anything that gives clue to the Countess or her
captors."

De Lacy shrugged his shoulders. "Small comfort would I give him, then."

"Peste! my son, I am very stupid. I quite forgot that there are others
than Darby who can see the attractions of the Lady of Clare. And of a
surety will she be grateful to him who rescues her."

De Lacy made a gesture of dissent.

"It is scarce honorable, this motive you ascribe to me, my lord Abbot,"
he said curtly.

"Honor and expediency go not always hand in hand," the priest answered
with a half suppressed sneer; then without giving time for retort, he
changed his tones to grave courtesy. "But I am remiss, my lord, I have
not yet done you the civility of inquiring how we of Kirkstall can
serve you."

"Not at all, I fear; at least upon the matter that brought us here; it
is evident you can give us no information as to the Countess."

"Alas! no, my son. Would to Heaven I could! . . . Have you then lost
all trace of her?"

"Aye, a league south of the Aire."

"I will summon the brother who was on duty last night at the outer
lodge; maybe he noted something that will aid you."

But Father Ambrose h