At last, however, after many fruitless attempts which would assuredly have effectually daunted less ardent lovers, they found themselves once more together in the woods.  What bliss, what rapture, what delight, filled the heart of each as they gazed fondly at the other!  Dorothy felt bright and lithesome as of yore, as she felt the touch of her lover’s hands again.  The weeks of misery through which she had just passed seemed but as a dream to her as she once more heard his cheery voice, and the haggard, careworn look, which had settled upon her fair face of late, was instantly dispelled as her betrothed imprinted a warm kiss upon her blushing cheeks.  As for Manners, he was completely transported with delight, and for some moments he bathed his hungry eyes in the sunshine of her beauty.  To see her again had been his dearest wish, and now she stood before him, and he felt that all the sacrifices he had been called upon to make for the sake of his love were more than compensated for as he heard her gently call him by the old familiar name.

“John,” she said.

“Well, dearest one; we are met once more.”

“You can trust me now?”

“Aye, indeed, I can,” he replied, with glistening eyes.  “Forgive me, Doll, I know you will.”

“I do; I did long ago.  I knew you could not doubt me long.  How good of you to come, and to risk so much—­for my sake,” she added, raising her lustrous eyes up to his.

“Nay, Doll, it were for my sake, too.  I could not be far from thee long; the saints forfend I should.  But tell me, Dorothy, how go our fortunes now; I fear not well?”

“Alas, no!  Lady Maude is stricter than ever,” she replied.  “Were I a lazy serving-maid mine were a happier lot.”

“And Sir Edward, what of him?”

“He wooes me with threats.  Was ever a maiden won thus, John?  He vows I shall be his bride, and O—­”

“What, dearest?”

“Margaret is to be wedded soon, and Sir Edward swears there shall be two weddings at the same time.  He says I shall like him well enough in time to come.  Margaret wishes it, Lady Maude wishes it, Sir Thomas wishes it, and Edward Stanley says it shall be.”

“He knows it not,” sturdily replied Manners, as he clasped her to his breast.  “Our love is strong enough to conquer all that, Doll.”

“I hope it will.  I think it will in the end,” she replied, “but the way is very dark for us at present.  But naught shall stay us now.  Our love is too true not to win.”

“It shall!” he returned, decisively.  “Be of good heart, my precious one, we shall soon have passed all this and be happy together.”

“Heaven grant it,” replied Dorothy, fervently, “but it is a terrible time now.  With you exposed to danger every hour outside, and every hand against me in the house, save Lettice, ’tis terrible, terrible!” and the maiden burst into tears.

“Poor Doll,” said Manners, as he tenderly supported her.  “Your lot is hard, but there will be a change ere long.  The wind does not always blow from one quarter, you know; it will alter soon.”