o, father," said the lad, with a merry laugh. "I hope not; but he
said you would be, and that you were old brothers-in-arms, and that he
longed to grip you by the hand; and he tried to hug me, and shed tears,
and flattered me, and said all sorts of things."

"Pah! the same as of old; but you said--and his men."

"Yes, about a dozen like him; ruffianly-looking, rag-bags of fellows,
all armed, and looking like a gang of bullies and robbers."

Sir Morton frowned, rose from his seat, and walked to the side of the
room, where his sword and belt lay in front of a bookcase.

"Well, I suppose I must see the fellow. He served under me, years ago,
Ralph, and I suppose he has come begging, unless he sees a chance to
steal."

"Then I was not unjust, father, in thinking ill of the man and disliking
him."

"Unjust? Pah! The fellow was a disgrace to the name of soldier; and
now, I suppose, that there is no war on the way, he has been discharged
from the king's service, with a pack of his companions."

"He said he had saved your life, father."

Sir Morton laughed contemptuously. "I have no recollection of the fact,
Ralph, boy, and I don't think I should have forgotten so important a
matter; but I do recollect saving his, by interceding when he was about
to be shot for plundering some helpless people. There; let him and a
couple of his men come in. The poor wretch is in a bad state, I
suppose, and I will give him something to help him on his road."

Ralph went to the door, but turned back, hesitating.

"Well, my boy?" said his father.

"Had I not better tell some of the men to arm, and be ready?" asked the
lad.

"What! Nonsense, boy! I know my man. He would not dare to be
insolent."

"But he has a dangerous-looking gang of fellows with him."

"Of the same kind as himself, Ralph. Have no fear of that. If there
were real danger, we could soon summon a dozen stout men to deal with
him and his party. But, as I said, let him only bring in two or three
with him."

Ralph hurried out, and found the captain and his men forming a
picturesque group about the stone steps; and as soon as he appeared, the
former swung himself round, and threw his cloak over his shoulder, with
a swaggering gesture.

"Hallo, my young eagle," he cried. "What saith the parent bird, the
gallant lord of the castle?"

"My father will see you, sir," replied Ralph. "This way."

"Aha! I knew he would," cried the man, giving his steel cap