“I think she could.”

The child’s face flushed; she clasped her hands together and listened eagerly whilst the brothers discussed the plan which in the end was agreed to —­ a very early start secretly from the castle before the day dawned, the chief point to be observed beforehand being absolute secrecy, so that the projected expedition should not reach the ears either of Wendot, his mother, or Griffeth.  It was to be carried out entirely by the twins themselves, with Gertrude as their companion.

CHAPTER III.  THE EAGLE’S CRAG.

“Where is the maid, mother?”

“Nay, I know not, my son.  I thought she was with thee.”

“I have not seen her anywhere.  I have been busy with the men.”

“Where are the other boys?”

“That I know not either.  I have seen none since I rose this morning.  I have been busy.”

“The maid had risen and dressed herself, and had slipped out betimes,” said the Lady of Dynevor, as she took her place at the board.  “Methought she would be with thee.  She is a veritable sprite for flitting hither and thither after thee.  Doubtless she is with some of the others.  Who knows where the boys have gone this morning?  They are not wont to be absent at the breakfast hour.”

This last question was addressed to the servants who were at the lower end of the board, and one of them spoke up in reply.  By what he said it appeared that Griffeth had started off early to fly a new falcon of his, and it seemed probable that his brothers and little Lady Gertrude had accompanied him; for whilst he had been discussing with the falconer the best place for making the proposed trial, Llewelyn had been to the stables and had saddled and led out the palfrey upon which their little guest habitually rode, and there seemed no reason to doubt that all the party had gone somewhere up upon the highlands to watch the maiden essay of the bird.

“She would be sure to long to see the trial,” said Wendot, attacking the viands before him with a hearty appetite.  “She always loves to go with us when there is anything to see or hear.  I marvel that she spoke not of it to me, but perchance it slipped her memory.”

The early risers were late at the meal, but no one was anxious about them.  When anything so engrossing as the flying of a young falcon was in the wind, it was natural that so sublunary a matter as breakfast should be forgotten.  The servants had finished their meal, and had left the table before there was any sign of the return of the wanderers, and then it was only Griffeth who came bounding in, his face flushed and his eyes shining as he caressed the hooded bird upon his wrist.

“He is a beauty, Wendot.  I would thou hadst been there to see.  I took him up to —­”

“Ay, tell us all that when thou hast had something to eat,” said Wendot.  “And where is Gertrude? she must be well-nigh famished by this time.”