Hither," said Sir Daniel; and as the other rose at his command and came

slowly towards him, he leaned back and laughed outright. "By the rood!"

he cried, "a sturdy boy!"

The lad flushed crimson with anger, and darted a look of hate out of his

dark eyes. Now that he was on his legs, it was more difficult to make

certain of his age. His face looked somewhat older in expression, but it

was as smooth as a young child's; and in bone and body he was unusually

slender, and somewhat awkward of gait.

"Ye have called me, Sir Daniel," he said. "Was it to laugh at my poor

plight?"

"Nay, now, let laugh," said the knight. "Good shrew, let laugh, I pray

you. An ye could see yourself, I warrant ye would laugh the first."

Well," cried the lad, flushing, "ye shall answer this when ye answer for

the other. Laugh while yet ye may!"

Nay, now, good cousin," replied Sir Daniel, with some earnestness,

think not that I mock at you, except in mirth, as between kinsfolk and

singular friends. I will make you a marriage of a thousand pounds, go

to! and cherish you exceedingly. I took you, indeed, roughly, as the

time demanded; but from henceforth I shall ungrudgingly maintain and

cheerfully serve you. Ye shall be Mrs. Shelton--Lady Shelton, by my

troth! for the lad promiseth bravely. Tut! ye will not shy for honest

The Black Arrow