knocked some of the paint off. But that can be mended. What cannot be

mended, Dick--or I much fear it cannot!--is my marriage with Lord

Shoreby."

"Is it decided, then?" asked the lad.

To-morrow, before noon, Dick, in the abbey church," she answered, "John

Matcham and Joanna Sedley both shall come to a right miserable end.

There is no help in tears, or I could weep mine eyes out. I have not

spared myself to pray, but Heaven frowns on my petition. And, dear

Dick--good Dick--but that ye can get me forth of this house before the

morning, we must even kiss and say good-bye."

"Nay," said Dick, "not I; I will never say that word. 'Tis like despair;

but while there's life, Joanna, there is hope. Yet will I hope. Ay, by

the mass, and triumph! Look ye, now, when ye were but a name to me, did

I not follow--did I not rouse good men--did I not stake my life upon the

quarrel? And now that I have seen you for what ye are--the fairest maid

and stateliest of England--think ye I would turn?--if the deep sea were

there, I would straight through it; if the way were full of lions, I

would scatter them like mice."

Ay," she said, dryly, "ye make a great ado about a sky-blue robe!"

Nay, Joan," protested Dick, "'tis not alone the robe. But, lass, ye

were disguised. Here am I disguised; and, to the proof, do I not cut a

figure of fun--a right fool's figure?"

The Black Arrow