He heard her tale as she sobbed in his arms.  They had come here after the eagle’s nest.  Llewelyn and Howel had been so kind!  They had not minded her being so slow, but had brought her all the way; and when she wanted to follow them along the ledge to get a better view of the nest, they had blindfolded her that she might not get giddy, and had put a rope round her and brought her safely along the narrow ledge till she had got to this place.  But the nest could not be seen even from there, and they had left her to see where it really was.  They said they would soon be back, but they had not come, and she had got first anxious and then terrified about them, and then fearful for her own safety.  At last when faintness and giddiness had come upon her, and she could get no answer to her repeated shouts, her spirit had altogether given way; and unless Wendot had really come to her rescue, she was certain she should have fallen down the precipice.  She did not know now how she should ever get back along the narrow ridge, she was so frightened and giddy.  But if Llewelyn and Howel would come, perhaps she might.

Did Wendot know where they were?  Would he take care of her now, and bring her safe home?

“I will if I can,” answered the boy, with a strange light in his blue eyes.  “Griffeth is on his way with plenty of help.  He will be here soon.  Do you think you could walk along the ridge now, if I were to hold you up and help you?  We should get home sooner if you could.”

But the child shrank back and put her hand before her eyes.

“Oh, let us wait till Griffeth comes.  I am so giddy still, and I am so afraid I should fall.  Hark!  I’m sure I hear voices.  They are coming already.  Oh, I am so glad!  I do want to get home.  Wendot, why do you look like that?  Why do you get out that thing?  You are not going to fight?”

“Lady Gertrude,” said Wendot, speaking in a grave, manly way that at once riveted the child’s attention, “I am afraid that those voices do not belong to our friends, but to a band of men who are coming to try and take you prisoner to a castle up the valley there.  No:  do not be frightened; I will save you from them if I can.  There is help coming for us, and I think I can hold this path against them for some time to come.  You must try and keep up heart and not be frightened.  You may see some hard blows struck, but you can shut your eyes and not think about it.  If they do kill me and carry you off, do not give up hope, for Griffeth and our own men will be after you to rescue you.  Now let me go, and try not to be afraid.  I think we can hold them at bay till we are more equally matched.”

The child’s eyes dilated with horror.  She caught Wendot by the hand.

“Give me up,” she said firmly.  “I will not have you killed for me.  I would rather go with them.  Give me up, I say!”

“No, Gertrude; I will not give you up,” answered Wendot very quietly, but with an inflexibility of tone which made his voice seem like that of another person.  “Your father placed you in my hands; to him I must answer for your safety.  What is life to a man without honour?  Would you have me stain my name for the sake of saving my life?  I think not that that is the English code of honour.”