d he did not want the trouble
of devising one suitable to Kent's character.

"By Saint Mary her galoches," [loose over-shoes], he said jocularly,
"what wouldst have of me, Custance? I cannot carry love-letters in mine
head."

"But canst not tell me one word?"

Edward would have given a manor if she would have been quiet, or would
have passed to some other topic. But he said--

"Lo' you, Custance! I cannot gallop and talk."

"Hast found that out but now?" was the ironical response.

"Well, if thou must needs have a word," replied he testily, "he said he
loved thee better than all the world. Will that do?"

"Ay, that shall serve," said Constance in a low voice.

So it might have done--had it been true.

There was silence for half an hour; when Edward said in his gravest
tone--

"Custance! I would fain have thee hearken me."

"For a flyting?" demanded his sister in a tone which was not at all
grave. "Thy voice hath sound solemn enough for a justiciary."

"_Ninerias_ [nonsense], Custance! I speak in sober earnest."

"Say on, my Lord Judge!"

"When I have seen thee in safety, I look to turn back to the Court."

"Sweet welcome thou shalt find there!"

"Maybe--if I scale yet again the walls of Eltham Palace, where the King
now abideth--as I sought in vain to do this last Christmas."

"Scale the walls!--What to do, Ned?"

"What thinkest, Custance?"

"Ned! surely thou meanest not to take the King's life? caitiff though he
be!"

"Nay," said Edward slowly; "scantly that, Custance--without I were
forced thereto. It might be enough to seize him and lock him up, as he
did to our Lord, King Richard."

"I will have no hand in murder, caitiff!"

Constance spoke too sternly to be disregarded. And it was in her nature
to have turned back to Windsor that moment, had she been left without
reassurance that all would go right.

"Softly, fair Sister!--who spake of so horrid a thing? Most assuredly I
mean no such, nor have any intent thereto."

"Scale walls at thy pleasure," she said in a calmer tone, "and lock
Harry of Bolingbroke under forty keys if thou list: I will not let thee.
But no blood, Ned, or I leave thee and thy gear this minute."

"Fair sister Custance, never had I no such intent, by All Hallows!"

"Have a care!" she said warningly.

After that they galloped in silence.

The journey went on till the Welsh Marches were reached, of which the
Earl of March was lord. Edmund began to hold