第4章

Telltheothersthatthesebemyorders。"

"Yes，MyLord。Whendoweride？"

"Atonce。Youmaygo。"

ThemorningthatBertradedeMontforthadchosentoreturntoherfather’scastledawnedgrayandthreatening。InvaindidMarydeStutevillpleadwithherfriendtogiveuptheideaofsettingoutuponsuchadismaldayandwithoutsufficientescort，butBertradedeMontfortwasfirm。

"AlreadyhaveIoverstayedmytimethreedays，anditisnotlightlythatevenI，hisdaughter，failinobediencetoSimondeMontfort。Ishallhaveenoughtoaccountforasitbe。Donoturgemetoaddevenonemoredaytomyexcuses。Andagain，perchance，mymotherandmyfathermaybesoredistressedbymycontinuedabsence。No，Mary，Imustridetoday。"Andsoshedid，withthefiveknightsthatcouldbesparedfromthecastle’sdefence。

Scarcelyhalfanhourhadelapsedbeforeacolddrizzlesetin，sothattheywereindeedasorrycompanythatsplashedalongthemuddyroad，wrappedinmantleandsurcoat。Astheyproceeded，therainandwindincreasedinvolume，untilitwasbeingdrivenintotheirfacesinsuchblindingguststhattheymustneedskeeptheireyesclosedandtrusttotheinstinctsoftheirmounts。

Lessthanhalfthejourneyhadbeenaccomplished。Theywerewindingacrossalittlehollowtowardalowridgecoveredwithdenseforest，intothesombershadowsofwhichtheroadwound。Therewasaglintofarmoramongthedrenchedfoliage，buttherain-buffetedeyesoftheriderssawitnot。

Ontheycame，theirpatienthorsesploddingslowlythroughthestickyroadandhurtlingstorm。

Nowtheywerehalfwayuptheridge’sside。Therewasamovementinthedarkshadowsofthegrimwood，andthen，withoutcryorwarning，abandofsteel-cladhorsemenbrokeforthwithcouchedspears。Chargingatfullrundownuponthem，theyoverthrewthreeofthegirl’sescortbeforeablowcouldbestruckinherdefense。Hertworemainingguardianswheeledtomeetthereturnattack，andnoblydidtheyacquitthemselves，forittooktheentireelevenwhowerepittedagainstthemtoovercomeandslaythetwo。

Inthemelee，nonehadnoticedthegirl，butpresentlyoneofherassailants，alittle，grim，grayman，discoveredthatshehadputspurstoherpalfreyandescaped。Callingtohiscompanionshesetoutatarapidpaceinpursuit。

Recklessoftheslipperyroadandtheblindingrain，BertradedeMontforturgedhermountintoawildrun，forshehadrecognizedthearmsofPeterofColfaxontheshieldsofseveraloftheattackingparty。

Nobly，thebeautifulArabbenttohercallforspeed。Thegreatbeastsofherpursuers，bredinNormandyandFlanders，mighthavebeentetheredintheirstallsforallthechancetheyhadofovertakingtheflyingwhitesteedthatfairlysplitthegrayrainaslightningfliesthroughtheclouds。

Butforthefiendishcunningofthelittlegrim，grayman’sforesight，BertradedeMontfortwouldhavemadegoodherescapethatday。Asitwas，however，herfleetmounthadcarriedherbuttwohundredyardsere，inthemidstofthedarkwood，sheranfulluponaropestretchedacrosstheroadwaybetweentwotrees。

Asthehorsefell，withaterriblelunge，trippedbythestoutrope，BertradedeMontfortwasthrownfarbeforehim，whereshelay，alittle，limpbedraggledfigure，inthemudoftheroad。

Theretheyfoundher。Thelittle，grim，graymandidnotevendismount，soindifferentwashetoherfate；deadorinthehandsofPeterofColfax，itwasallthesametohim。Ineitherevent，hispurposewouldbeaccomplished，andBertradedeMontfortwouldnolongerlureNormanofTornfromthepathhehadlaidoutforhim。

Thatsuchaneventualitythreatened，heknewfromoneSpizotheSpaniard，thesingletraitorintheserviceofNormanofTorn，whosemeanaidthelittlegrim，graymanhadpurchasedsincemanymonthstospyuponthecomingsandgoingsofthegreatoutlaw。

ThemenofPeterofColfaxgatheredupthelifelessformofBertradedeMontfortandplaceditacrossthesaddlebeforeoneoftheirnumber。

"Come，"saidthemancalledGuy，"iftherebelifeleftinher，wemusthastentoSirPeterbeforeitbeextinct。"

"Ileaveyehere，"saidthelittleoldman。"Mypartofthebusinessisdone。"

AndsohesatwatchingthemuntiltheyhaddisappearedintheforesttowardthecastleofColfax。

ThenherodebacktothesceneoftheencounterwherelaythefiveknightsofSirJohndeStutevill。Threewerealreadydead，theothertwo，sorelybutnotmortallywounded，laygroaningbytheroadside。

Thelittlegrim，graymandismountedashecameabreastofthemand，withhislongsword，silentlyfinishedthetwowoundedmen。Then，drawinghisdagger，hemadeamarkuponthedeadforeheadsofeachofthefive，andmounting，roderapidlytowardTorn。

"Andifonefactbenotenough，"hemuttered，"thatmarkuponthedeadwillquiteeffectuallystopfurtherintercoursebetweenthehousesofTornandLeicester。"

HenrydeMontfort，sonofSimon，rodefastandfuriousattheheadofadozenofhisfather’sknightsontheroadtoStutevill。

BertradedeMontfortwassolongoverduethattheEarlandPrincessEleanor，hiswife，filledwithgraveapprehensions，hadpostedtheiroldestsonofftothecastleofJohndeStutevilltofetchherhome。

Withthewindandrainattheirbacks，thelittlepartyroderapidlyalongthemuddyroad，untillateintheafternoontheycameuponawhitepalfreystandinghuddledbeneathagreatoak，hisarchedbacktowardthedrivingstorm。

"ByGod，"criedDeMontfort，"tismysister’sownAbdul。Therebesomethingwronghereindeed。"Butarapidsearchofthevicinity，andloudcallsbroughtnofurtherevidenceofthegirl’swhereabouts，sotheypressedontowardStutevill。

Sometwomilesbeyondthespotwherethewhitepalfreyhadbeenfound，theycameuponthedeadbodiesofthefiveknightswhohadaccompaniedBertradefromStutevill。

Dismounting，HenrydeMontfortexaminedthebodiesofthefallenmen。ThearmsuponshieldandhelmconfirmedhisfirstfearthatthesehadbeenBertrade’sescortfromStutevill。

Ashebentoverthemtoseeifherecognizedanyoftheknights，therestaredupintohisfacefromtheforeheadsofthedeadmenthedreadedsign，NT，scratchedtherewithadagger’spoint。

"ThecurseofGodbeonhim！"criedDeMontfort。"ItbetheworkoftheDevilofTorn，mygentlemen，"hesaidtohisfollowers。"Come，weneednofurtherguidetoourdestination。"And，remounting，thelittlepartyspurredbacktowardTorn。

WhenBertradedeMontfortregainedhersenses，shewasinbedinastrangeroom，andaboveherbentanoldwoman；arepulsive，toothlessoldwoman，whosesmilewasbutafanglesssnarl。

"Ho，ho！"shecroaked。"Thebridewaketh。ItoldMyLordthatitwouldtakemorethanatumbleinthemudtokillaDeMontfort。Come，come，now，ariseandclothethyself，forthehandsomebridegroomcanstscarcerestrainhiseagerdesiretofoldtheeinhisarms。Belowinthegreathallhepacestoandfro，theredbloodmantlinghisbeauteouscountenance。"

"Whobeye？"criedBertradedeMontfort，hermindstilldazedfromtheeffectsofherfall。"WhereamI？"andthen，"O，MonDieu！"assherememberedtheeventsoftheafternoon；andthearmsofColfaxupontheshieldsoftheattackingparty。Inaninstantsherealizedthehorrorofherpredicament；itsutterhopelessness。

Beastthoughhewas，PeterofColfaxstoodhighinthefavoroftheKing；

andthefactthatshewashisniecewouldscarceaidhercausewithHenry，foritwasmorethancounter-balancedbythefactthatshewasthedaughterofSimondeMontfort，whomhefearedandhated。

Inthecorridorwithout，sheheardtheheavytrampofapproachingfeet，andpresentlyaman’svoiceatthedoor。

"Withinthere，Coll！Hastthedamselawakenedfromherswoon？"

"Yes，SirPeter，"repliedtheoldwoman，"Iwasbutjusturginghertoariseandclotheherself，sayingthatyouawaitedherbelow。"

"Hastethen，MyLadyBertrade，"calledtheman，"noharmwillbedonetheeifthoushowestthegoodsenseIgivetheecreditfor。Iwillawaittheeinthegreathall，or，ifthouprefer，wiltcometotheehere。"

Thegirlpaled，moreinloathingandcontemptthaninfear，butthetonesofheranswerwerecalmandlevel。

"Iwillseetheebelow，SirPeter，anon，"andrising，shehastenedtodress，whiletherecedingfootstepsoftheBarondiminisheddownthestairwaywhichledfromthetowerroominwhichshewasimprisoned。

Theoldwomanattemptedtodrawherintoconversation，butthegirlwouldnottalk。Herwholemindwasdevotedtoweighingeachpossiblemeansofescape。

Ahalfhourlater，sheenteredthegreathallofthecastleofPeterofColfax。Theroomwasempty。LittlechangehadbeenwroughtintheapartmentsincethedaysofEthelwolf。Asthegirl’sglancerangedthehallinsearchofherjaileritresteduponthenarrow，unglazedwindowsbeyondwhichlayfreedom。WouldsheeveragainbreatheGod’spureairoutsidethesestiflingwalls？Thesegrimyhatefulwalls！Blackastheinkyraftersandwainscotexceptforoccasionalsplotchesafewshadeslessbegrimed，whererepairshadbeenmade。Ashereyesfelluponthetrophiesofwarandchasewhichhungthereherlipscurledinscorn，forsheknewthattheywereacquisitionsbyinheritanceratherthanbythepersonalprowessofthepresentmasterofColfax。

Asinglecressetlightedthechamber，whiletheflickeringlightfromasmallwoodfireupononeofthetwogreathearthsseemedrathertoaccentuatethedimshadowsoftheplace。

Bertradecrossedtheroomandleanedagainstamassiveoaktable，blackenedbyageandhardusagetothecolorofthebeamsabove，dentedandnickedbythepoundingofhugedrinkinghornsandheavyswordswhenwildandlustybrawlershadbeenmovedtoapplausebythelayofsomewanderingminstrel，orthesternercalloftheirmightychieftainsfortheoathoffealty。

Herwanderingeyestookinthedozenbenchesandthefewrude，heavychairswhichcompletedtheroughfurnishingsofthisroughroom，andsheshuddered。Onelittlefoottappedsullenlyuponthedisorderedfloorwhichwaslitteredwithamiscellanyofrushesinterspreadwithsuchbonesandscrapsoffoodasthedogshadrejectedoroverlooked。

ButtononeofthesesurroundingsdidBertradedeMontfortgivebutpassingheed；shelookedforthemanshesoughtthatshemightquicklyhavetheencounteroverandlearnwhatfatethefutureheldinstoreforher。

Herquickglancehadshownherthattheroomwasquiteempty，andthatinadditiontothemaindoorwayatthelowerendoftheapartment，whereshehadentered，therewasbutoneotherdoorleadingfromthehall。Thiswasatoneside，andasitstoodajarshecouldseethatitledintoasmallroom，apparentlyabedchamber。

Asshestoodfacingthemaindoorway，apanelopenedquietlybehindheranddirectlybackofwherethethroneshadstoodinpasttimes。FromtheblackmouthoftheaperturesteppedPeterofColfax。Silently，heclosedthepanelafterhim，andwithsoundlesssteps，advancedtowardthegirl。Attheedgeoftheraiseddaishehalted，rattlinghisswordtoattractherattention。

Ifhisaimhadbeentounnerveherbythesuddennessandmysteryofhisappearance，hefailedsignally，forshedidnoteventurnherheadasshesaid：

"Whatexplanationhastthoutomake，SirPeter，forthisbasetreacheryagainstthyneighbor’sdaughterandthysovereign’sniece？"

"Whenfondheartsbethwartedbyacruelparent，"repliedthepot-belliedoldbeastinasoftandfawningtone，"lovemuststillfinditsway；andsothygallantswainhathdaredthewrathofthygreatfatherandmajesticuncle，andlayshisheartatthyfeet，ObeauteousBertrade，knowingfullwellthatthinehathbeenhungeringafteritsincewedidstfirstavowourlovetothyhard-heartedsire。See，Ikneeltothee，mydove！"Andwithcrackingjointsthefatbaronplumpeddownuponhismarrowbones。

Bertradeturnedandasshesawhimherhaughtycountenancerelaxedintoasneeringsmile。

"Thouartafool，SirPeter，"shesaid，"and，atthat，theworstspeciesoffool——anancientfool。Itisuselesstopursuethycause，forIwillhavenoneofthee。Letmehence，ifthoubeagentleman，andnowordofwhathathtranspiredshalleverpassmylips。Butletmego，’tisallI

ask，anditisuselesstodetainmeforIcannotgivewhatyouwouldhave。

Idonotloveyou，norevercanI。"

Herfirstwordshadcausedtheredofhumiliationtomottlehisalreadyrubyvisagetoasemblanceofpurple，andnow，asheattemptedtorisewithdignity，hewasstillfurthercoveredwithconfusionbythefactthathishugestomachmadeitnecessaryforhimtogouponallfoursbeforehecouldrise，sothathegotupmuchafterthemannerofacow，raisinghissternhighinairinamostludicrousfashion。Ashegainedhisfeethesawthegirlturnherheadfromhimtohidethelaughteronherface。

"Returntothychamber，"hethundered。"IwillgivetheeuntiltomorrowtodecidewhetherthouwiltacceptPeterofColfaxasthyhusband，ortakeanotherpositioninhishouseholdwhichwillbartheeforalltimefromthesocietyofthykind。"

Thegirlturnedtowardhim，thelaughstillplayingonherlips。

"Iwillbewifetonobuffoon；tonoclumsyoldclown；tonodebauched，degradedparodyofaman。Andasforthyotherrashthreat，thouhastnotthegutstoputthywishesintodeeds，thoucravencoward，forwellyeknowthatSimondeMontfortwouldcutoutthyfoulheartwithhisownhandifheeversuspectedthouwertguiltyofspeakingofsuchtome，hisdaughter。"

AndBertradedeMontfortsweptfromthegreathall，andmountedtohertowerchamberintheancientSaxonstrongholdofColfax。

Theoldwomankeptwatchoverherduringthenightanduntillatethefollowingafternoon，whenPeterofColfaxsummonedhisprisonerbeforehimoncemore。Soterriblyhadtheoldhagplayeduponthegirl’sfearsthatshefeltfullycertainthattheBaronwasquiteequaltohisdirethreat，andsoshehadagainbeencastingaboutforsomemeansofescapeordelay。

Theroominwhichshewasimprisonedwasinthewesttowerofthecastle，fullyahundredfeetabovethemoat，whichthesingleembrasureoverlooked。Therewas，therefore，noavenueofescapeinthisdirection。

Thesolitarydoorwasfurnishedwithhugeoakenbars，anditselfcomposedofmightyplanksofthesamewood，crossbarredwithiron。

Ifshecouldbutgettheoldwomanout，thoughtBertrade，shecouldbarricadeherselfwithinandthusdelay，atleast，herimpendingfateinthehopethatsuccormightcomefromsomesource。Buthermostsubtlewilesprovedineffectualinriddingher，evenforamoment，ofherharpyjailer；andnowthatthefinalsummonshadcome，shewasbesideherselfforalackofmeanstothwarthercaptor。

Herdaggerhadbeentakenfromher，butonehungfromthegirdleoftheoldwomanandthisBertradedeterminedtohave。

Feigningtroublewiththebuckleofherowngirdle，shecalledupontheoldwomantoaidher，andasthehagbentherheadclosetothegirl’sbodytoseewhatwaswrongwiththegirdleclasp，Bertradereachedquicklytohersideandsnatchedtheweaponfromitssheath。Quicklyshesprangbackfromtheoldwomanwho，withacryofangerandalarm，rusheduponher。

"Back！"criedthegirl。"Standback，oldhag，orthoushaltfeelthelengthofthineownblade。"

Thewomanhesitatedandthenfelltocursingandblaspheminginamosthorriblemanner，atthesametimecallingforhelp。

Bertradebackedtothedoor，commandingtheoldwomantoremainwhereshewas，onpainofdeath，andquicklydroppedthemightybarsintoplace。

ScarcelyhadthelastgreatboltbeenslippedthanPeterofColfax，withadozenservantsandmen-at-arms，werepoundingloudlyupontheoutside。

"What’swrongwithin，Coll，"criedtheBaron。

"Thewenchhaswrestedmydaggerfrommeandismurderingme，"shriekedtheoldwoman。

"An’thatIwilltrulydo，PeterofColfax，"spokeBertrade，"ifyoudonotimmediatelysendformyfriendstoconductmefromthycastle，forIwillnotstepmyfootfromthisroomuntilIknowthatmineownpeoplestandwithout。"

PeterofColfaxpledandthreatened，commandedandcoaxed，butallinvain。Sopassedtheafternoon，andasdarknesssettleduponthecastletheBarondesistedfromhisattempts，intendingtostarvehisprisonerout。

Withinthelittleroom，BertradedeMontfortsatuponabenchguardingherprisoner，fromwhomshedidnotdaremovehereyesforasinglesecond。

Allthatlongnightshesatthus，andwhenmorningdawned，itfoundherpositionunchanged，hertiredeyesstillfixeduponthehag。

Earlyinthemorning，PeterofColfaxresumedhisendeavorstopersuadehertocomeout；heevenadmitteddefeatandpromisedhersafeconducttoherfather’scastle，butBertradedeMontfortwasnotonetobefooledbyhislyingtongue。

"ThenwillIstarveyouout，"hecriedatlength。

"GladlywillIstarveinpreferencetofallingintothyfoulhands，"

repliedthegirl。"Butthyoldservantherewillstarvefirst，forshebeveryoldandnotsostrongasI。Therefore，howwillitprofityoutokilltwoandstillberobbedofthyprey？"

PeterofColfaxentertainednodoubtbutthathisfairprisonerwouldcarryoutherthreatandsohesethismentoworkwithcoldchisels，axesandsawsuponthehugedoor。

Forhours，theylaboreduponthatmightyworkofdefence，anditwaslateatnighteretheymadealittleopeninglargeenoughtoadmitahandandarm，butthefirstoneintrudedwithintheroomtoraisethebarswasdrawnquicklybackwithahowlofpainfromitsowner。Thusthekeendaggerinthegirl’shandputanendtoallhopesofenteringwithoutcompletelydemolishingthedoor。

Tothiswork，themenwithoutthensetthemselvesdiligentlywhilePeterofColfaxrenewedhisentreaties，throughthesmallopeningtheyhadmade。

Bertraderepliedbutonce。

"Seestthouthisponiard？"sheasked。"Whenthatdoorfalls，thispointentersmyheart。Thereisnothingbeyondthatdoor，withthou，poltroon，towhichdeathinthislittlechamberwouldnotbepreferable。"

Asshespoke，sheturnedtowardthemanshewasaddressing，forthefirsttimeduringallthoseweary，hideoushoursremovingherglancefromtheoldhag。Itwasenough。Silently，butwiththequicknessofatigresstheoldwomanwasuponherback，oneclaw-likepawgraspingthewristwhichheldthedagger。

"Quick，MyLord！"sheshrieked，"thebolts，quick。"

InstantlyPeterofColfaxranhisarmthroughthetinyopeninginthedoorandasecondlaterfourofhismenrushedtotheaidoftheoldwoman。

EasilytheywrestedthedaggerfromBertrade’sfingers，andattheBaron’sbidding，theydraggedhertothegreathallbelow。

Ashisretainerslefttheroomathiscommand，PeterofColfaxstrodebackandforthupontherusheswhichstrewedthefloor。Finallyhestoppedbeforethegirlstandingrigidinthecenteroftheroom。

"Hastcometothysensesyet，BertradedeMontfort？"heaskedangrily。"I

haveofferedyouyourchoice；tobethehonoredwifeofPeterofColfax，or，byforce，hismistress。Thegoodpriestwaitswithout，whatbeyouranswernow？"

"Thesameasithasbeenthesepasttwodays，"sherepliedwithhaughtyscorn。"Thesamethatitshallalwaysbe。Iwillbeneitherwifenormistresstoacoward；ahideous，abhorrentpigofaman。Iwoulddie，itseems，ifIfeltthetouchofyourhanduponme。Youdonotdaretotouchme，youcraven。I，thedaughterofanearl，thenieceofaking，wedtothewartytoad，PeterofColfax！"

"Hold，chit！"criedtheBaron，lividwithrage。"Youhavegonetoofar。

Enoughofthis；andyoulovemenotnow，Ishalllearnyoutoloveerethesunrises。"Andwithavileoathhegraspedthegirlroughlybythearm，anddraggedhertowardthelittledoorwayatthesideoftheroom。

CHAPTERX

ForthreeweeksafterhismeetingwithBertradedeMontfortandhissojournatthecastleofJohndeStutevill，NormanofTornwasbusywithhiswildhordeinreducingandsackingthecastleofJohndeGrey，aroyalistbaronwhohadcapturedandhangedtwooftheoutlaw’sfightingmen；andneveragainafterhismeetingwiththedaughterofthechiefofthebaronsdidNormanofTornraiseahandagainsttherebelsortheirfriends。

ShortlyafterhisreturntoTorn，followingthesuccessfuloutcomeofhisexpedition，thewatchuponthetowerreportedtheapproachofadozenarmedknights。NormansentRedShandytotheouterwallstolearnthemissionoftheparty，forvisitorsseldomcametothisinaccessibleandunhospitablefortress；andhewellknewthatnopartyofadozenknightswouldventurewithhostileintentwithintheclutchesofhisgreatbandofvillains。

ThegreatredgiantsoonreturnedtosaythatitwasHenrydeMontfort，oldestsonoftheEarlofLeicester，whohadcomeunderaflagoftruceandwouldhavespeechwiththemasterofTorn。

"Admitthem，Shandy，"commandedNormanofTorn，"Iwillspeakwiththemhere。"

Whentheparty，afewmomentslater，wasusheredintohispresenceitfounditselffacingamailedknightwithdrawnvisor。

HenrydeMontfortadvancedwithhaughtydignityuntilhefacedtheoutlaw。

"BeyeNormanofTorn？"heasked。And，didhetrytoconcealthehatredandloathingwhichhefelt，hewaspoorlysuccessful。

"Theycallmeso，"repliedthevisoredknight。"AndwhatmaybringaDeMontfortaftersomanyyearstovisithisoldneighbor？"

"Wellyeknowwhatbringsme，NormanofTorn，"repliedtheyoungman。"Itisuselesstowastewords，andwecannotresorttoarms，foryouhaveusentirelyinyourpower。Nameyourpriceanditshallbepaid，onlybequickandletmehencewithmysister。"

"Whatwildwordsbethese，HenrydeMontfort？Yoursister！Whatmeanyou？"

"Yes，mysisterBertrade，whomyoustoleuponthehighroadtwodayssince，aftermurderingtheknightsofJohndeStutevillwhowerefetchingherhomefromavisitupontheBaron’sdaughter。Weknowthatitwasyoufortheforeheadsofthedeadmenboreyourdevil’smark。"

"Shandy！"roaredNormanofTorn。"WHATMEANSTHIS？Whohasbeenupontheroad，attackingwomen，inmyabsence？YouwerehereandinchargeduringmyvisittomyLorddeGrey。Asyouvalueyourhide，Shandy，thetruth！"

"Sinceyoulaidmelowinthehutofthegoodpriest，Ihaveservedyouwell，NormanofTorn。YoushouldknowmyloyaltybythistimeandthatneverhaveIliedtoyou。Nomanofyourshasdonethisthing，norisitthefirsttimethatvilescoundrelshaveplacedyourmarkupontheirdeadthattheymightthusescapesuspicion，themselves。"

"HenrydeMontfort，"saidNormanofTorn，turningtohisvisitor，"weofTornbearnosavoryname，thatIknowfullwell，butnomanmaysaythatweunsheathourswordsagainstwomen。Yoursisterisnothere。IgiveyouthewordofhonorofNormanofTorn。Isitnotenough？"

"Theysayyouneverlie，"repliedDeMontfort。"WouldtoGodIknewwhohaddonethisthing，orwhichwaytosearchformysister。"

NormanofTornmadenoreply，histhoughtswereinwildconfusion，anditwaswithdifficultythathehidthefierceanxietyofhisheartorhisrageagainsttheperpetratorsofthisdastardlyactwhichtorehiswholebeing。

InsilenceDeMontfortturnedandleft，norhadhispartyscarcepassedthedrawbridgeerethecastleofTornwasfilledwithhurryingmenandthenoiseanduproarofasuddencalltoarms。

Somethirtyminuteslater，fivehundrediron-cladhorsescarriedtheirmailedridersbeneaththeportcullisofthegrimpile，andNormantheDevil，ridingattheirhead，spurredrapidlyinthedirectionofthecastleofPeterofColfax。

Thegreattroop，windingdowntherockytrailfromTorn’sbuttressedgates，presentedapictureofwildbarbaricsplendor。

ThearmorofthemenwasofeverystyleandmetalfromtheancientbandedmailoftheSaxontotherichlyornamentedplatearmorofMilan。Goldandsilverandpreciousstonessetinplumedcrestandbreastplateandshield，andeveninthesteelspikedchamfronsofthehorses’headarmorshowedtherichlootwhichhadfallentotheportionofNormanofTorn’swildraiders。

Flutteringpennonsstreamedfromfivehundredlancepoints，andthegraybannerofTorn，withtheblackfalcon’swing，flewaboveeachofthefivecompanies。Thegreatlindenwoodshieldsofthemenwerecoveredwithgrayleatherand，intheupperrighthandcornerofeach，wastheblackfalcon’swing。Thesurcoatsoftheriderswerealsouniform，beingofdarkgrayvillosafacedwithblackwolfskin，sothatnotwithstandingtherichnessofthearmorandthehorsetrappings，therewasagrim，graywarlikeappearancetothesewildcompaniesthatcomportedwellwiththeirreputation。

RecruitedfromallranksofsocietyandfromeverycivilizedcountryofEurope，thegreathordeofTornnumberedinitstencompaniesserfandnoble；Britain，Saxon，Norman，Dane，German，ItalianandFrench，Scot，PictandIrish。

Herebirthcausednodistinctions；theescapedserf，withthegallmarksofhisbrasscollarstillvisibleabouthisneck，rodeshouldertoshoulderwiththeoutlawedscionofanoblehouse。Theonlyrequisitesforadmissiontothetroopwerewillingnessandabilitytofight，andanoathtoobeythelawsmadebyNormanofTorn。

Thelittlearmywasdividedintotencompaniesofonehundredmen，eachcompanycaptainedbyafighterofprovenworthandability。

OuroldfriendsRedShandy，andJohnandJamesFloryledthefirstthreecompanies，theremainingsevenbeingundercommandofotherseasonedveteransofathousandfights。

OneEyeKanty，owingtohisearlytrade，heldthealwaysimportantpostofchiefarmorer，whilePetertheHermit，thelastofthefivecut-throatswhomNormanofTornhadbestedthatday，sixyearsbefore，inthehutofFatherClaude，hadbecomemajordomoofthegreatcastleofTorn，whichpostincludedalsothevitalfunctionsofquartermasterandcommissary。

TheoldmanofTornattendedtothetrainingofserfandsquireintheartofwar，foritwasevernecessarytofillthegapsmadeinthecompanies，duetotheirconstantencountersuponthehighroadandtheirbattlesatthetakingofsomefeudalcastle；inwhichtheydidnotalwayscomeoffunscathed，thoughusuallyvictorious。

Today，astheywoundwestacrossthevalley，NormanofTornrodeattheheadofthecavalcade，whichstrungoutbehindhiminalongcolumn。Abovehisgraysteelarmor，afalcon’swingrosefromhiscrest。Itwastheinsigniawhichalwaysmarkedhimtohismeninthemidstofbattle。Whereitwavedmightalwaysbefoundthefightingandthehonors，andaboutittheywerewonttorally。

BesideNormanofTornrodethegrim，gray，oldman，silentandtaciturn；

nursinghisdeephatredinthedepthsofhismalignbrain。

Attheheadoftheirrespectivecompaniesrodethefivecaptains：RedShandy；JohnFlory；EdwildtheSerf；Emilio，CountdeGropelloofItaly；

andSieurRalphdelaCampnee，ofFrance。

Thehamletsandhutswhichtheypassedinthemorningandearlyafternoonbroughtforthmen，womenandchildrentocheerandwaveGod-speedtothem；

butastheypassedfartherfromthevicinityofTorn，wheretheblackfalconwingwasknownmorebytheferocityofitsnamethanbythekindlydeedsofthegreatoutlawtothelowlyofhisneighborhood，theysawonlyclosedandbarreddoorswithanoccasionalfrightenedfacepeeringfromatinywindow。

ItwasmidnighteretheysightedtheblacktowersofColfaxsilhouettedagainstthestarrysky。Drawinghismenintotheshadowsoftheforestahalfmilefromthecastle，NormanofTornrodeforwardwithShandyandsomefiftymentoapointascloseastheycouldcomewithoutbeingobserved。

HeretheydismountedandNormanofTorncreptstealthilyforwardalone。

Takingadvantageofeverycover，heapproachedtotheveryshadowsofthegreatgatewithoutbeingdetected。Inthecastle，alightshonedimlyfromthewindowsofthegreathall，butnoothersignoflifewasapparent。Tohisintensesurprise，NormanofTornfoundthedrawbridgeloweredandnosignofwatchmenatthegateoruponthewalls。

Ashehadsackedthiscastlesometwoyearssince，hewasfamiliarwithitsinternalplan，andsoheknewthatthroughthesculleryhecouldreachasmallantechamberabove，whichletdirectlyintothegreathall。

Andsoithappenedthat，asPeterofColfaxwheeledtowardthedoorofthelittleroom，hestoppedshortinterror，fortherebeforehimstoodastrangeknightinarmor，withloweredvisoranddrawnsword。Thegirlsawhimtoo，andalookofhopeandrenewedcourageoverspreadherface。

"Draw！"commandedalowvoiceinEnglish，"unlessyouprefertopray，foryouareabouttodie。"

"Whobeye，varlet？"criedtheBaron。"Ho，John！Ho，Guy！Totherescue，quick！"heshrieked，anddrawinghissword，heattemptedtobackquicklytowardthemaindoorwayofthehall；butthemaninarmorwasuponhimandforcinghimtofighterehehadtakenthreesteps。

IthadbeenshortshriftforPeterofColfaxthatnighthadnotJohnandGuyandanotherofhishenchmenrushedintotheroomwithdrawnswords。

"Ware！SirKnight，"criedthegirl，asshesawthethreeknavesrushingtotheaidoftheirmaster。

Turningtomeettheirassault，theknightwasforcedtoabandontheterror-strickenBaronforaninstant，andagainhehadmadeforthedoorwaybentonlyonescape；butthegirlhaddivinedhisintentions，andrunningquicklytotheentrance，sheturnedthegreatlockandthrewthekeywithallhermighttothefarcornerofthehall。Inaninstantsheregrettedheract，forshesawthatwhereshemighthavereducedherrescuer’sopponentsbyatleastone，shehadnowforcedthecowardlyBarontoremain，andnothingfightsmorefiercelythanacorneredrat。

Theknightwasholdinghisownsplendidlywiththethreeretainers，andforaninstantBertradedeMontfortstoodspell-boundbytheexhibitionofswordsmanshipshewaswitnessing。

Fightingthethreealternately，inpairsandagainallatthesametime，thesilentknight，thoughweightedbyhisheavyarmor，forcedthemsteadilyback；hisflashingbladeseemingtoweaveanetofsteelaboutthem。

Suddenlyhisswordstoppedjustforaninstant，stoppedintheheartofoneofhisopponents，andasthemanlungedtothefloor，itwasflashingagainclosetothebreastsofthetworemainingmen-at-arms。

Anotherwentdownlessthantensecondslater，andthenthegirl’sattentionwascalledtothefaceofthehorrifiedBaron；PeterofColfaxwasmoving——slowlyandcautiously，hewascreeping，frombehind，towardthevisoredknight，andinhisraisedhandflashedasharpdagger。

Foraninstant，thegirlstoodfrozenwithhorror，unabletomoveafingerortocryout；butonlyforaninstant，andthen，regainingcontrolofhermuscles，shestoopedquicklyand，graspingaheavyfoot-stool，hurleditfullatPeterofColfax。

Itstruckhimbelowthekneesandtoppledhimtothefloorjustastheknight’sswordpassedthroughthethroatofhisfinalantagonist。

AstheBaronfell，hestruckheavilyuponatablewhichsupportedtheonlylightedcressetwithinthechamber。Inaninstant，allwasdarkness。

Therewasarapidshufflingsoundasofthescurryingofratsandthenthequietofthetombsettleduponthegreathall。

"Areyousafeandunhurt，myLadyBertrade？"askedagraveEnglishvoiceoutofthedarkness。

"Quite，SirKnight，"shereplied，"andyou？"

"Notascratch，butwhereisourgoodfriendtheBaron？"

"Helayhereuponthefloorbutamomentsince，andcarriedathinlongdaggerinhishand。Haveacare，SirKnight，hemayevennowbeuponyou。"

Theknightdidnotanswer，butsheheardhimmovingboldlyabouttheroom。

Soonhehadfoundanotherlampandmadealight。Asitsfeebleraysslowlypenetratedtheblackgloom，thegirlsawthebodiesofthethreemen-at-arms，theoverturnedtableandlamp，andthevisoredknight；butPeterofColfaxwasgone。

Theknightperceivedhisabsenceatthesametime，butheonlylaughedalow，grimlaugh。

"Hewillnotgofar，MyLadyBertrade，"hesaid。

"Howknowyoumyname？"sheasked。"Whomayyoube？Idonotrecognizeyourarmor，andyourbreastplatebearsnoarms。"

HedidnotansweratonceandherheartroseinherbreastasitfilledwiththehopethatherbraverescuermightbethesameRogerdeCondewhohadsavedherfromthehirelingsofPeterofColfaxbutafewshortweekssince。Surelyitwasthesamestraightandmightyfigure，andtherewasthemarvelousswordplayaswell。Itmustbehe，andyetRogerdeCondehadspokennoEnglishwhilethismanspokeitwell，though，itwastrue，withaslightFrenchaccent。

"MyLadyBertrade，IbeNormanofTorn，"saidthevisoredknightwithquietdignity。

Thegirl’sheartsank，andafeelingofcoldfearcreptthroughher。Foryearsthatnamehadbeenthesymboloffiercecruelty，andmadhatredagainstherkind。LittlechildrenwerefrightenedintoobediencebythevaguesthintthattheDevilofTornwouldgetthem，andgrownmenhadcometowhisperthenamewithgrim，setlips。

"NormanofTorn！"shewhispered。"MayGodhavemercyonmysoul！"

Beneaththevisoredhelm，awaveofpainandsorrowsurgedacrossthecountenanceoftheoutlaw，andalittleshudder，asofachillofhopelessness，shookhisgiantframe。

"Youneednotfear，MyLady，"hesaidsadly。"Youshallbeinyourfather’scastleofLeicestererethesunmarksnoon。AndyouwillbesaferundertheprotectionofthehatedDevilofTornthanwithyourownmightyfather，oryourroyaluncle。"

"Itissaidthatyouneverlie，NormanofTorn，"spokethegirl，"andI

believeyou，buttellmewhyyouthusbefriendaDeMontfort。"

"Itisnotforloveofyourfatheroryourbrothers，noryethatredofPeterofColfax，norneitherforanyrewardwhatsoever。ItpleasesmetodoasIdo，thatisall。Come。"

Heledherinsilencetothecourtyardandacrossthelowereddrawbridge，towheretheysoondiscoveredagroupofhorsemen，andinanswertoalowchallengefromShandy，NormanofTornrepliedthatitwashe。

"Takeadozenmen，Shandy，andsearchyonhellhole。Bringouttome，alive，PeterofColfax，andMyLady’scloakandapalfrey——andShandy，whenallisdoneasIsay，youmayapplythetorch！Butnolooting，Shandy。"

Shandylookedinsurpriseuponhisleader，forthetorchhadneverbeenaweaponofNormanofTorn，whileloot，ifnotalwaystheprimeobjectofhismanyraids，wasatleastaveryimportantconsideration。

Theoutlawnoticedthesurprisedhesitationofhisfaithfulsubalternandsigninghimtolisten，said：

"RedShandy，NormanofTornhasfoughtandsackedandpillagedfortheloveofit，andforaprinciplewhichwasatbestbutavaguegenerality。

TonightweridetoredressawrongdonetoMyLadyBertradedeMontfort，andthat，Shandy，isadifferentmatter。Thetorch，Shandy，fromtowertoscullery，butintheserviceofMyLady，nolooting。"

"Yes，MyLord，"answeredShandy，anddepartedwithhislittledetachment。

Inahalfhourhereturnedwithadozenprisoners，butnoPeterofColfax。

"Hehasflown，MyLord，"thebigfellowreported，andindeeditwastrue。

PeterofColfaxhadpassedthroughthevaultsbeneathhiscastleand，byalongsubterraneanpassage，hadreachedthequartersofsomepriestswithoutthelinesofNormanofTorn。Bythistime，hewasseveralmilesonhiswaytothecoastandFrance；forhehadrecognizedtheswordsmanshipoftheoutlaw，anddidnotcaretoremaininEnglandandfacethewrathofbothNormanofTornandSimondeMontfort。

"Hewillreturn，"wastheoutlaw’sonlycomment，whenhehadbeenfullyconvincedthattheBaronhadescaped。

Theywatcheduntilthecastlehadburstintoflamesinadozenplaces，theprisonershuddledtogetherinterrorandapprehension，fullyexpectingasummaryandhorribledeath。

WhenNormanofTornhadassuredhimselfthatnohumanpowercouldnowsavethedoomedpile，heorderedthatthemarchbetakenup，andthewarriorsfileddowntheroadwaybehindtheirleaderandBertradedeMontfort，leavingtheirerstwhileprisonerssorelypuzzledbutunharmedandfree。

Astheylookedback，theysawtheheavensredwiththegreatflamesthatspranghighabovetheloftytowers。Immensevolumesofdensesmokerolledsouthwardacrosstheskyline。Occasionallyitwouldclearawayfromtheburningcastleforaninstanttoshowtheblackwallspiercedbytheirhundredsofembrasures，eachlitupbytheredoftheragingfirewithin。

Itwasagorgeous，impressivespectacle，butonesocommoninthosefierce，wilddays，thatnonethoughtitworthyofmorethanapassingbackwardglance。

Variedemotionsfilledthebreastsoftheseveralriderswhowendedtheirslowwaydownthemud-slipperyroad。NormanofTornwasbothelatedandsad。Elatedthathehadbeenintimetosavethisgirlwhoawakenedsuchstrangeemotionsinhisbreast；sadthathewasaloathesomethinginhereyes。Butthatitwaspurehappinessjusttobenearher，sufficedhimforthetime；ofthemorrow，whatusetothink！Thelittle，grim，gray，oldmanofTornnursedthespleenhedidnotdareventopenly，andcursedthechancethathadsentHenrydeMontforttoTorntosearchforhissister；

whilethefollowersoftheoutlawsworequietlyoverthevagarywhichhadbroughtthemonthislongridewithouteitherfightingorloot。

BertradedeMontfortwasbutfilledwithwonderthatsheshouldoweherlifeandhonortothisfierce，wildcut-throatwhohadswornespecialhatredagainstherfamily，becauseofitsrelationshiptothehouseofPlantagenet。Shecouldnotfathomit，andyet，heseemedfairspokenforsoroughaman；shewonderedwhatmannerofcountenancemightliebeneaththatbarredvisor。

Oncetheoutlawtookhiscloakfromitsfasteningsathissaddle’scantelandthrewitabouttheshouldersofthegirl，forthenightairwaschilly，andagainhedismountedandledherpalfreyaroundabadplaceintheroad，lestthebeastmightslipandfall。

Shethankedhiminhercourtlymannerfortheseservices，butbeyondthat，nowordpassedbetweenthem，andtheycame，insilence，aboutmiddaywithinsightofthecastleofSimondeMontfort。

Thewatchuponthetowerwasthrownintoconfusionbytheapproachofsolargeapartyofarmedmen，sothat，bythetimetheywereinhailingdistance，thewallsofthegreatstructurewerecrowdedwithfightingmen。

Shandyrodeaheadwithaflagoftruce，andwhenhewasbeneaththecastlewallsSimondeMontfortcalledforth：

"Whobeyeandwhatyourmission？Peaceorwar？"

"ItisNormanofTorn，comeinpeace，andintheserviceofaDeMontfort，"

repliedShandy。"Hewouldenterwithonecompanion，myLordEarl。"

"DaresNormanofTornenterthecastleofSimondeMontfort——thinkshethatIkeeparobbers’roost！"criedthefierceoldwarrior。

"NormanofTorndaresridewherehewillinallEngland，"boastedtheredgiant。"Willyouseehiminpeace，MyLord？"

"Lethimenter，"saidDeMontfort，"butnoknavery，now，weareathousandmenhere，wellarmedandreadyfighters。"

Shandyreturnedtohismasterwiththereply，andtogether，NormanofTornandBertradedeMontfortclatteredacrossthedrawbridgebeneaththeportcullisofthecastleoftheEarlofLeicester，brother-in-lawofHenryIIIofEngland。

Thegirlwasstillwrappedinthegreatcloakofherprotector，forithadbeenraining，sothatsherodebeneaththeeyesofherfather’smenwithoutbeingrecognized。Inthecourtyard，theyweremetbySimondeMontfort，andhissonsHenryandSimon。

Thegirlthrewherselfimpetuouslyfromhermount，and，flingingasidetheoutlaw’scloak，rushedtowardherastoundedparent。

"Whatmeansthis，"criedDeMontfort，"hastherascalofferedyouharmorindignity？"

"Youcravenliar，"criedHenrydeMontfort，"butyesterdayyousworeuponyourhonorthatyoudidnotholdmysister，andI，likeafool，believed。"

Andwithhiswords，theyoungmanflunghimselfuponNormanofTornwithdrawnsword。

Quickerthantheeyecouldsee，theswordofthevisoredknightflewfromitsscabbard，and，withasinglelightning-likemove，sentthebladeofyoungDeMontforthurtlingcrossthecourtyard；andthen，beforeeithercouldtakeanotherstep，BertradedeMontforthadsprungbetweenthemandplacingahanduponthebreastplateoftheoutlaw，stretchedforththeotherwithpalmout-turnedtowardherkinsmenasthoughtoprotectNormanofTornfromfurtherassault。

"Beheoutlawordevil，"shecried，"heisabraveandcourteousknight，andhedeservesfromthehandsoftheDeMontfortsthebesthospitalitytheycangive，andnotcoldsteelandinsults。"Thensheexplainedbrieflytoherastonishedfatherandbrotherswhathadbefallenduringthepastfewdays。

HenrydeMontfort，withthefinechivalrythatmarkedhim，wasthefirsttostepforwardwithoutstretchedhandtothankNormanofTorn，andtoaskhispardonforhisrudewordsandhostileact。

Theoutlawbuthelduphisopenpalm，ashesaid，"LettheDeMontfortsthinkwelleretheytakethehandofNormanofTorn。

Igivenotmyhandexceptinfriendship，andnotforapassingmoment；butforlife。Iappreciateyourpresentfeelingsofgratitude，butletthemnotblindyoutothefactthatIamstillNormantheDevil，andthatyouhaveseenmymarkuponthebrowsofyourdead。Iwouldgladlyhaveyourfriendship，butIwishitfortheman，NormanofTorn，withallhisfaults，aswellaswhatvirtuesyoumaythinkhimtopossess。"

"Youareright，sir，"saidtheEarl，"youhaveourgratitudeandourthanksfortheserviceyouhaverenderedthehouseofMontfort，andeverduringourlivesyoumaycommandourfavors。Iadmireyourbraveryandyourcandor，butwhileyoucontinuetheOutlawofTorn，youmaynotbreakbreadatthetableofDeMontfortasafriendwouldhavetherighttodo。"

"Yourspeechisthatofawiseandcarefulman，"saidNormanofTornquietly。"Igo，butrememberthatfromthisday，IhavenoquarrelwiththeHouseofSimondeMontfort，andthatshouldyouneedmyarms，theyareatyourservice，athousandstrong。Goodbye。"Butasheturnedtogo，BertradedeMontfortconfrontedhimwithoutstretchedhand。

"Youmusttakemyhandinfriendship，"shesaid，"for，tomydyingday，I

musteverblessthenameofNormanofTornbecauseofthehorrorfromwhichhehasrescuedme。"

Hetookthelittlefingersinhismailedhand，andbendingupononekneeraisedthemtohislips。

"Tonoother——woman，man，king，God，ordevil——hasNormanofTornbenttheknee。Ifeveryouneedhim，MyLadyBertrade，rememberthathisservicesareyoursfortheasking。"

Andturning，hemountedandrodeinsilencefromthecourtyardofthecastleofLeicester。Withoutabackwardglance，andwithhisfivehundredmenathisback，NormanofTorndisappearedbeyondaturningintheroadway。

"Astrangeman，"saidSimondeMontfort，"bothgoodandbad，butfromtoday，Ishalleverbelievemoregoodthanbad。Wouldthathewereotherthanhebe，forhisarmwouldwieldaheavyswordagainsttheenemiesofEngland，anhecouldbepersuadedtoourcause。"

"Whoknows，"saidHenrydeMontfort，"butthatanofferoffriendshipmighthavewonhimtoabetterlife。Itseemedthatinhisspeechwasanoteofwistfulness。Iwish，father，thatwehadtakenhishand。"

CHAPTERXI

SeveraldaysafterNormanofTorn’svisittothecastleofLeicester，ayoungknightappearedbeforetheEarl’sgatesdemandingadmittancetohavespeechwithSimondeMontfort。TheEarlreceivedhim，andastheyoungmanenteredhispresence，SimondeMontfort，sprangtohisfeetinastonishment。

"MyLordPrince，"hecried。"Whatdoyehere，andalone？"

Theyoungmansmiled。

"Ibenoprince，MyLord，"hesaid，"thoughsomehavesaidthatIfavortheKing’sson。IbeRogerdeConde，whomitmayhavepleasedyourgraciousdaughtertomention。IhavecometopayhomagetoBertradedeMontfort。"

"Ah，"saidDeMontfort，risingtogreettheyoungknightcordially，"anyoubethatRogerdeCondewhorescuedmydaughterfromthefellowsofPeterofColfax，thearmsoftheDeMontfortsareopentoyou。