r
was to say, as he glanced behind him--

"We ride now at quick gallop; clasp me close, Lady Anne."

They were off as soon as he had spoken--at such a gallop as Anne had
never ridden in all her life. But she felt no fear, for the one person
in the world whom she trusted implicitly was he who sat before her.

During part of the way, they followed the same route which Le Despenser
and Bertram had taken five years before; and Bertram found a painful
interest in pointing out to Maude the different spots where the
incidents of the journey had happened. Meanwhile a dialogue was passing
between Edward and Constance which the former had expected, and had made
his arrangements for the journey with the special view that her queries
on that topic should be answered by no one but himself.

"Ned, hast seen my Lord?"

"But once sithence I saw thee."

"How is it with him?"

"Passing well, for aught I know."

"Thou didst him to wit of all this matter?"

"Said I not that I so would?"

"But didst thou?" she repeated, noting the evasion.

"I did so."

In saying which, Edward told a deliberate falsehood.

"And when will he be at Cardiff?"

"When the wind bloweth him thither," said the Duke drily.

"Now, Ned!"

"Nay, Custance--what know I more than thou? The winds be no squires of
mine."

"But he will come with speed?"

"No doubt."

"Sent he no word unto me?"

"Oh, ay--an hogshead full!"

"Ned, thou caitiff! [miserable wretch]--what were they?"

"Stuff and folly."

"Thou unassoiled villain, tell me them this minute, or--"

"Thou wilt drop from the pillion? By all means, an' it so like thee. I
shall but be left where I am."

"Ned! I will nip thee like a pasty, an' thou torment me thus."

"Forsooth, Custance, I charged no memory of mine with such drastis,"
[dross, rubbish].

"Drastis!"

"I cry thee mercy--cates [delicates, good things] and honey, if thou
wilt have it so. 'Twas all froth and thistle-down."

"I have done, Ned. I will not speak to thee again this month."

"And wilt keep that resolve--ten minutes? By 'r Lady, I am no squire of
dames, Custance. Prithee, burden not me with an heap of fond glose,"
[foolish flattery].

"By Saint Mary her hosen, but I would my Lord had chosen a better
messenger!"

Constance was really vexed. Edward himself was in a little difficulty,
for he had only been amusing himself with his sister's anxieties. In
reality, he was charged with no message, an