nience, yet the
ladies had been almost entirely confined within the limits of the
Hall. Winter at Haddon was by no means a dreary imprisonment, for
fetes and balls were continually taking place, and however rough the
weather might be, and the condition of the miserable tracts which in
those days did duty for roads, there were not a few cavaliers, both
old and young, who would gladly adventure the discomforts of a journey
to Haddon, even were it to be only rewarded by a smile, or perchance
a dance with the two daughters of the host, whose beauty, though of
different types, many were ready to swear, and to maintain it, if
need be, at the point of the sword, could not be surpassed in all the
counties of the land.

Indeed, the beauty of Margaret and Dorothy was almost as famous as
the reputation of the "King of the Peak" himself, and the old knight,
owner as he was of immense wealth, was often heard to assert that his
two daughters were the greatest treasures he possessed.

Many eyes were cast upon these two fair maidens, and many hearts were
laid at their feet. Margaret, the elder, was already being wooed by
Sir Thomas Stanley, and some gossips even went so far as to say
that she had already plighted her troth to him. The younger sister,
however, had kept her heart intact, and in spite of the persuasions of
Sir George and the threats of Lady Maude, had refused to comply with
their request to accept Sir Henry de la Zouch as her betrothed.

Although by no means dreary, yet the continual round of winter feasts
had at last begun to assume an aspect of staleness, and lords and
ladies alike had for some time past been eagerly anticipating the time
when they might once more pursue their noble sports. As the winter
had gradually withdrawn its ice and snow, and occasional gleams of
sunshine appeared, hearalding the advent of spring, the excitement had
increased. Dancing was discarded, the tapestry work was laid aside,
and all with one mind began to make preparations for the coming
excursions.

And now the long wished for day had come. The number of guests at the
Hall had been largely augmented by fresh arrivals, and as the jovial
baron looked round the table at the feast of the previous evening, he
declared that a better company could not be found in all the land.

The scene as they started out was animated in the extreme. The ladies,
in their many-coloured dresses, riding on horseback, were gracefully
coquetting with the kni