ed to France.'

"'It is a lie--a lie of your black heart!' I cried.

"But he only smiled maliciously and went out. And thank God, since
that evening I have never seen him more.

"And now is my tale most told. For a week longer I dwelt in that room,
and saw no person but my dumb attendant. At a strange hour on the
night of the seventh day, there came a knock at the door and, without
staying for permission, a robed figure entered.

"'Be not alarmed, daughter,' it said, as I sprang up. 'I come to take
you hence.'

"It was the Abbot Aldam himself, and my anger arose.

"'Since when, Sir Abbot,' I demanded, 'has the Abbey of Kirkstall
become the prison for abducted women?'

"'Since it pleased me to assist a friend in need,' he answered.

"Coming near, he scanned my face and figure; and suddenly he put his
arms about me and kissed me on the mouth."

De Lacy struck his gauntlets against his greaves.

"God! I am glad I killed him," he gritted.

"So am I, dear," said the Countess--then went on: "I tried to reach my
dagger, but Aldam caught my hands and kissed me twice again.

"'Be not so timid,' he laughed. 'There are many of your sex come to
this room, and far different from a simple caress is the toll they pay.
But you are Darby's, so must I stop with that . . . yet I would it were
otherwise,' and his look was so cruelly devouring I fled to the far
side of the room.

"There I waited, ready if he sought again to touch me, to sink my
dagger in his breast. But he had bound his passions, seemingly, for he
sat down and bade me prepare to leave without delay. And gladly did I
comply, caring little where I went, so that I left this vile priest's
clutches.

"When I had done, he took my bundle and a candle and led the way
through a hidden panel in the corner opposite the door. We passed
along a narrow corridor, with the roof almost against our heads, and
descended a score of stone stairs into a tunnel, deep and foul. How
far we went I cannot even guess, but presently there was another ascent
of stairs, and after a bit of fumbling, the heavy door swung back and I
felt a rush of night air and saw the moonlight.

"Thrusting the Abbot aside, I sprang through the opening . . . and into
the arms of Simon Gorges.

"'Your pardon, my lady,' he said; then freed me, but stood within easy
reach. He was alone, and beside his horse was another with a woman's
saddle. He saw my eyes upon it.

"We are for Roxford Castle