"I do, madam," said Dick. "Although, upon my heart, I do hold me but

partially guilty of that brave knight's blood."

Would ye evade me?" she cried.

Madam, not so. I have told you; at your bidding, I will even turn me a

monk," said Richard.

Then, in honour, ye belong to me?" she concluded.

In honour, madam, I suppose"--began the young man.

Go to!" she interrupted; "ye are too full of catches. In honour do ye

belong to me, till ye have paid the evil?"

"In honour, I do," said Dick.

Hear, then," she continued; "Ye would make but a sad friar, methinks;

and since I am to dispose of you at pleasure, I will even take you for my

husband. Nay, now, no words!" cried she. "They will avail you nothing.

For see how just it is, that you who deprived me of one home, should

supply me with another. And as for Joanna, she will be the first,

believe me, to commend the change; for, after all, as we be dear friends,

what matters it with which of us ye wed? Not one whit!"

"Madam," said Dick, "I will go into a cloister, an ye please to bid me;

but to wed with anyone in this big world besides Joanna Sedley is what I

The Black Arrow