been playing eavesdropper."

"Like us," laughed the maid.

"Hush! Sir Henry is talking. How excited he is. Listen."

"I humbly crave his pardon then, fair lady. When shall I learn what
fate you have in store for me?"

"Not till after the tournament, at least," promptly replied Lady
Vernon.

"And that will be--prithee when?"

"This day week, and in the meantime I would advise you as a friend to
practise well with your arms," and, added the baron with grim humour,
"say your prayers day by day, Sir Henry, for Manners has not fought in
the Netherlands for naught."

"Then I shall present myself before you, Lady Vernon, at the
conclusion of the tourney," he loftily replied, "and I will have my
answer then."

"If so be, that is, that there be aught left of thee to come,"
supplemented Sir George, considerably nettled at the other's tone,
"for I hear that Manners is terrible with the sword."

"Thank you, sir baron," was the proud retort, "but I have learnt
ere now how to hold the lance, and can wield the mace;" and without
deigning to cast a look behind him he strode away in an ill humour
with himself and everybody else, to scowl in silence at the group of
merrymakers on the green.

"There, a pretty lover!" exclaimed Dorothy, as her suitor walked away,
"but I have given him his answer."

"Hush, my lady," whispered the maid.

"We shall be able to get it all arranged for a week to-day, and you
shall be queen of the tourney, Maude, if it so please you."

"I, Sir George? I indeed!" replied the dame. "Pooh! my queening days
are gone. It must be either Margaret or Dorothy."

"Fancy," whispered Lattice, "you the queen of the tournament!"

"Hush!"

"But I hear he is likely to lose the Ashby estates. Think of that, Sir
George; think of that. He would be a poor man directly."

"Why, how?"

"The Ashby estates were forfeited to the De la Zouches, but King Henry
granted them back before he died, and I hear they are like to go at
last."

"It were a pity for Sir Henry, but in truth, Maude, I like him not."

"Pooh, nonsense! He wants none of our pity, but I tell thee Dorothy is
too good a match to throw away upon him."

"Perhaps so, Maude," replied the baron; "it may be so, but I shall
be much mistaken if, after the tournament, he is able to ask for her
again, but if he does I will refer him to you."

"That will do, Lettice," said Dorothy. "I have heard quite sufficient.
Shut the window; I will go now and see how