“Come, Cedric, come; we are late!” cried Sir Julian at the door.  Lord Cedric turned to go, but Constance flew to his side and grasped his hand,—­

“Nay, nay; thou shalt not leave me thus.  Thou shalt not leave me to go to one who cares not one jot for thee!  Cedric, turn not away.  Do not leave me here.  Cedric, hear me, take me, take me with thee!  I will be so good—­”

Again Sir Julian came and called hastily,—­“Indeed, my lord, there is a chaise upon the highway, and if we mistake not ’tis the King’s.”  Cedric loosed himself from Constance and hurried from the room.  She flew after him; but he had passed Sir Julian and flung himself upon a horse.  Pomphrey saw her plight, and, whether from pity, gallantry, or intrigue, lifted her quickly—­before she had time to withdraw from him—­into a coach.  Cedric remonstrated with him; but Julian was confident of his motive and started the coach at full speed.  They flew along in the opposite direction from whence came the King.

It was his Majesty, who had heard of his son’s hiding with some beauteous maid and was resolved to play a trick and come upon him unawares.

It was feared, when he should find Monmouth in such a plight, he would pursue the offenders, if for nothing but to see with his own eyes the maid who had so wrought upon his son’s affections.

The coaches bearing Katherine and Constance sped along at a rapid swing.  The one bearing Katherine, with Janet by her side, was some distance ahead; Constance alone in the rear.  Cedric and Julian rode at either side of the first coach, their horses in full gallop.

They reached Southwark after two hours’ hard riding.  Katherine was not aware of Lord Cedric’s presence, and he avoided meeting her or attracting her attention in any way.  He was content with the thought that she was near him.

They proposed to remain at Tabard Inn at least until the next night, when they would set out under cover of the darkness for Crandlemar, where Lord Cedric had given orders to have all things ready for his immediate espousal.  He knew that Katherine loved him, and felt sanguine that after passing through so many vicissitudes she would come to her senses and give up the ideas of churchly duties and religious requirements.

Lady Constance feared the worst, now that Cedric was once more with Katherine.  What could she do to stave the matter off?  She knew Cantemir would hardly be able to place Cedric in the Tower before another week.  She was tempted to poison or kill in some way the maid.  Aye, she would kill her—­that would be safest.  Then Cedric could not have her.  They would be parted forever.

CHAPTER XIX

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COACH

In the meantime his Majesty had entered the villa and found his son bound and in drunken sleep.  Seeing he was uninjured, the King fell to laughing at his plight, his ringing tones awakening Monmouth.  The King’s gentlemen unbound him and brought him to a chair.  The youth was not long in collecting himself, quickly making a tale for his father’s ears.