pardon the free use of one's eyes on an occasion like the present; for by St. Peter, who is the oldest warder on record, it is not often, that those pass out from our gates, who never entered in. And methinks I have just cause for being in no hurry to do thy bidding; and, saving thyself, my labour might in this case be spared, for assuredly this knight and page could only have entered by the lock-hole, and may depart without bolt being drawn."

"What meanest thou, sirrah?" said Royston, sharply, "thou wert not wont to tamper with time after this fashion, when I was on our master's business, and how knowest thou that I am not even now, on affairs of urgency?"

"Sirrah me no sirrahs," answered the warder, angrily, "and as to thy business being one of urgency, know that there are others who have also been entrusted with the baron's matters, since thou last entered the castle: and that since yesternight I have received our master's orders, to allow no one to cross the moat."

"Then those orders extended not to ourselves," replied Royston, "and Sir Geoffrey de Marchmont must have forgotten that he appointed us to be in readiness at the palace by

sunset. Thou mayest bear this in mind," continued the old soldier, "and although it may have escaped his memory, thou art witness that it hath not mine, and must answer to himself for our delay."

"My commands are not mine own," replied the warder, "and my safety dependeth more upon obeying them as they were given to me, than in hearkening to others of which I know nothing, and had not the baron some strong reason for issuing them, he would not have sent with all the speed man and horse could make, after the sun was down; and in such a night as darkened, and thundered over the earth yestereven."

"What might thy commands be?" inquired Royston, "that thou adherest to them so rigidly, for, by my faith! I remember not the issuing of such an order, unless when in expectation of an attack, and of which we had heard something beforehand."

"To allow no one to cross the drawbridge on pain of death," replied the warder, “and thou well knowest that such orders are to be kept, or woe betide him in trust!"

"Thou art right, good warder," said Roy

ston, in a mild and affected tone, "and hadst thou told me thus much before, thou knowest I would not have perilled thy head by importuning thee so long; but, who is that hallooing across the moat? assuredly thy orders did not bar all access to the castle, although none are allowed to depart from it."

"Certes, they did not," answered the warder, looking across the moat, " and I well wot, that thou wouldst not wish an old comrade to fall into harm's way, for doing that which is wrong. But yonder is Leornof the groom, returned with the baron's war-horse. I will but lower the bridge to admit him, then we will empty a cup together, and wash down all unkindness. But who are those with thee?" added he, in a voice which was intended for Royston's ear alone.

"I will tell thee anon," answered Royston, "over our cups, and I think, I may be able to inform thee of the cause which has called for this sudden order; but speed thee, for I long to pledge thee in a bumper."

"That thou shalt do in sooth,” replied the warder, and instantly called upon his companions to lower the portcullis. The steed on which the groom was mounted, proved restive,

and before he had time to reach the drawbridge, Royston, followed by Margaret and Edwin, shot across with the speed of thought, and galloped along by the edge of the moat, in the direction of the forest.

"Archers, send your shafts after yonder traitors!" said the warder, calling to the bowmen who manned the ramparts which overlooked the drawbridge. But they were unprepared; for having heard mention of the emptying of flagons, some of them had descended the winding stair, and others had laid aside their bows, to be in readiness to partake of the expected beverage. One or two arrows were, however, shot, but not until the party were far beyond their reach.

The castle was suddenly in an uproar; nor was it long before they discovered that Margaret and the page, had escaped along with Royston. A consultation followed, in which it was concluded, that since the lady had also departed they had nothing to fear; for even the warder declared that, in spite of the baron's orders, if his daughter had commanded the drawbridge to have been lowered, he dared not to refuse. But, in spite of these assertions,

he had certain misgivings, and a few doubts within himself, whether or not he should shew a clean pair of heels. Then he thought of Royston, and had no fear of his own fate being worse than the old soldier's, never dreaming any other than that he had gone to the palace. Some voices were for sending out half a score of lances in the pursuit, but then, they knew not by what right they could pursue a free born maiden. At length it was suggested, that Margaret might not be amongst the party, and that the knight in armour appeared at least three inches higher than the page; this had, however, the effect of dismissing a council, in which all had a voice, and several set out in search of the lady and the page, calling aloud their names, in every gallery and apartment in the castle, until they at length aroused the keeper, or head warden, who had been sleeping soundly since his noon-day meal. But he, like the rest, said much and did nothing, except sending out a messenger to De Marchmont, who went sulkily on his mission, declaring, as he crossed the unlucky drawbridge, that he would as lief carry a commission to the devil, as face the fiery baron with such tidings.