Hereward stood with his eyes bent upon the floor in silence, not a lip in the whole assembly moved; and just at the moment that Robin Hood was about to step up, and plant himself beside the brave Saxon, Sir Henry of Gloomglendell came forth from amid the nobles, and stationing himself beside Hereward, exclaimed, in a loud voice, which caused the arched hall to ring again, "I, Henry of Gloomglendell, am witness that the Saxon speaketh but the truth, and vow, by the honour of a true knight, that I heard Sir Geoffrey de Marchmont command four of his own followers to way-lay Hereward the Saxon, in the forest; to hew him limb from limb, and bear away the charter by which he

holds his inheritance."

"And I," exclaimed the Earl of Eltham, "do here, by my knighthood, avouch for the honour of Henry of Gloomglendell, and will hold myself the sponsor in this just cause. And to him who holdeth that the knight hath

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falsely accused Sir Geoffrey de Marchmont, I will be his assoine, and on mine own body, repel the charge. There lieth my gage:" so saying, he drew off his heavy gauntlet, and placed it on the table.

A loud shout rung through the vaulted hall at this announcement, and was returned by the crowd waiting without. For numbers had assembled around the court, who could not gain admittance, and had doubtless mistaken the sound, as a signal that the Saxon was acquitted.

"This is but a conspiracy, my Liege,” said De Marchmont, arising from his seat, while his eyes glared again with rage; "a plot formed against me, that I may be deprived of the hand of Edith of Lincoln, who hath long looked favourably on this very knight, by whom I am now so basely and falsely accused. Sir Henry Gloomglendell," added he, grinding his teeth as he spoke, "I deny the charge thou hast brought against me, and defy thee to mortal combat."

"That thou deniest it, I marvel not," replied Gloomglendell, coolly, "since thou didst dare to deny all knowledge of Edith before his majesty, when she was borne away by thy commands on the day of the chase, and thine own daughter was the reward held out to John of Chester, for doing the deed. As to thy challenge, I willingly accept it, and by the help of God, will prove the truth of what I have uttered on thy body, to the death."

By my father's tomb, I fear thou hast been playing us falsely," said King John, looking angrily at the baron : was not our royal word sufficient to ensure the maiden, without engag

ing others in the matter, and then denying all knowledge of our ward?"

"Had I not your majesty's permission to”"Take her to wife, whenever it was thy pleasure," said King John, anticipating what would be De Marchmont's reply; and fearing an exposure of the double part he had himself played

in the affair. "But by the aid of heaven, we will sift this matter to the bottom: in the meantime, the lists shall be erected in the meadow opposite our own palace, and on the morrow let the combat take place. The Earl of Eltham," added he, turning his glance to where Hugh de Lacy stood, "hath long been burning to display his prowess; and we also ordain that the gage of battle be fulfilled between him and the Constable of Chester, in the same lists. Saxon," continued he, his eye alighting upon Hereward, with a cold and cruel expression, "since thou considerest our chief justice in Eyre unfit to be thy judge, we ourself do doom thee to death on the morrow; and sentence thee to be hung on the high oak, without the lists, after the combats have been decided. It grieveth us that we cannot extend to thee our mercy, but the laws of our royal forefathers must be adhered to. Foresters, lead back the prisoner to the donjon; and, on peril of your lives, let him not escape."

A deep murmur of disapprobation again ran through the hall when this sentence was passed, and some one, more bold than the rest, exclaimed, "Who expects mercy from the murderer of Prince Arthur?" The voice came from near the door, but by whom the words were uttered was not known to the king, although the form of Robin Hood was seen cowering behind two tall outlaws, upon whose lips a half savage smile then rested.

Meantime, Hereward was again led away to his donjon, which was within the hall of trial, and to which access was gained by descending half a score of rude and broken steps, through a heavy trap-door, near the dais. The donjon was lighted from without, by a kind of loophole or window, if such it may be termed, sunk in the ground, like that of a modern cellar, and strongly secured by iron bars.

The court was soon empty, King John having retired with several of his nobles to the palace,