“Balls and feasts!” repeated the baron.  “Nay, we are too old for those now.  We should only get Benedict and old De Lacey to come, for, by my halidame, squires and knights won’t come to see us now Meg and Doll are gone, and then, Maude, after all, you know,” he continued slyly, “love will have its own way, and you trow full well that folk blamed me enough when I wedded.”

Lady Maude blushed.  The comments on her marriage with the baron had been by no means what she might have wished, as the remembrance of them was not particularly pleasant to her even now, so she discreetly held her peace.

“We cannot blame her, Maude,” went on Sir George, waxing enthusiastic as the love of Dorothy asserted itself more and more within him.  “We are all alike to blame, and had I been John Manners myself, I should maybe have done just what he has done.  Who could help it, eh, Maude?  Not I, in truth; and then, Manners has done us good service, too.  We must welcome them back, and make them happy if we can.  I shall send a message off now.”

Before his feelings had found time to change—­even had he so wished—­he scrawled a note of forgiveness to the fugitives, praying them to return, and before he returned to his wife the messenger was on his way.

* * * * *

A warm welcome awaited gallant John Manners and his beautiful lady as, a week later, they were met by the fond father just outside Haddon.

Impatiently, the baron had awaited their return.  For two whole days he had done little else than watch for their coming, from the loftiest portion of the tall eagle tower, and when at last the little cavalcade could be distinguished in the far distance, wending its way with all possible haste towards the Hall, he started off to meet them.

It was a glad reunion.  Even Lady Maude was touched, as she met them in the courtyard, and with much more kindliness than she had been wont to treat Doll for some time, she kissed the upraised face; Manners received a stately bow.  He, at all events, had much to be forgiven yet; but the baron, casting the last particle of pride to the winds, warmly and repeatedly embraced his daughter, and frankly greeted her husband.

The menials with one accord united to welcome back the youthful couple, for Dorothy was universally beloved, and somehow or other the story of Manners’ disguise had got abroad and had made hosts of admiring friends for him, both high and low.

Even Lady Maude melted at last and regarded him with favour, but whether this was because she learned that his uncle, the earl, favoured his nephew and petted his bride, or whether the highly satisfactory conduct of Master Manners himself gained her esteem, must be left for the courteous reader to determine.

Happiness now reigned once more in Haddon.  The old Hall rung again with shouts of gladness, and in a short space of time Manners had the satisfaction of promoting Lettice’s husband to a more honourable position than he had formerly occupied.