e, employing the weapon which had proved
useful with Edmund, "if thou make not good speed, we will leave thee
behind."

"Well, what if so?" demanded Alianora coolly, tying a string in the most
leisurely style.

"If I have not as great a mind to leave you both behind!"--cried
Constance in an annoyed tone. "I will bear away Nan and Roger, and wash
mine hands of you!"

"Please, I'm ready!" announced little Roger in a whisper through the
crack of the door, in an incredibly short space of time.

"Why wert thou not the firstborn?" exclaimed the Princess. "I would
thou hadst been! What is Nym about?"

"Combing his hair," said Roger, glancing back at him, "and hath been
this never so long."

Constance dashed back into the room with one of her quick, impulsive
movements, snatched the comb from his dilatory young Majesty, smoothed
his hair in a second, ordered him to wash his hands, and to put on his
gown and tunic, and stood over him while he did it.

"The saints have mercy on thee, Nym, and send thee a wise council!" said
she, half in earnest and half in jest. "The whole realm will go to
sleep else."

"Well, they might do worser," responded Edmund calmly.

The two sluggards were ready at last, but not before Constance had lost
her temper, and had noticed the unruffled endurance of Anne.

"Why, Nan, thou hast patience enough!" she said.

"I have had need these seven years," answered the maiden quietly.

"Now, Maude, take thou Lord Roger by the hand; and Nan, take thy sister.
Nym, thou comest with me. Lead on, Sir Bertram; and mind all of you--
no bruit, not enough to wake a mouse!"

"It would not wake Nym, then!" said little Roger.

They crept down the stairs of the Beauchamp Tower as slowly and
cautiously as they had come. Down to the little postern gate, left
unguarded by the careless sentinel, who was carousing with his fellows
on another side of the Castle; out and away to the still glade in
Windsor Forest, where Maydeston stood waiting with the horses, all
fitted with pillion and saddle.

"Here come we, Maydeston!" exclaimed Bertram. "Now, Madam, an' it like
your Grace to mount with help of Master Maydeston, will it list you that
I ride afore?"

For it was little short of absolute necessity that the gentleman should
be seated on his saddle before the lady mounted the pillion.

"Nay--the King that shall be, the first!" said Constance.

Bertram bowed and apologised. He was always in the habit of