Manners had never felt more embarrassed in the course of his life, and, ready-witted though he was, he found himself at a loss how to reply.  Before he had collected his scattered senses, Dorothy had gone, and he, left alone, was a long way in the rear.  The horns of the hunters, which were continually sounding, proved a sufficient guide, and being nimble of foot, he started off in great haste to rejoin the party, which was now well out of sight.

All this had not escaped the jealous eyes of De la Zouch, for, securely hidden within the friendly foliage of a patch of brushwood, he had seen and heard all, and, with perceptions sharpened by the jealous spirit which raged within his breast, he had at once divined the secret which neither of the two, as yet, understood.

As Manners departed, he emerged from his hiding-place, gnashing his teeth with rage.  His anger was terrible to behold.

“So, so!” he exclaimed, as he watched the retreating figure, “it has come to this, then, that I am to yield my share of the riches of Haddon to this usurping churl.  But no; it shall never, never be!  John Manners shall lie in six feet of solid earth ere I forego the prize!”

Had he been more careful, Sir Henry would have discovered that he was not alone.  Had he been less rash, whatever he might have thought, he would have kept his opinions to himself; for hardly had he spoken, when a rough voice at his elbow awakened him from the reverie into which he had fallen.

“Such words, noble sir, are costly, and I ween thou hadst rather not have them repeated to the King of the Peak.”

De la Zouch turned sharply round and fiercely confronted the well-known figure of the Derby packman.

“Thou art over bold for a knave,” he exclaimed; “get thee gone.”

“Not till I am the richer, or I will hie me to Sir George, and tell my tale to him,” was the cool reply.

“Villain!” hissed Sir Henry, “begone!” and obeying the impulse of the moment, he dealt the pedlar a blow which felled him to the ground.

“There will be a few more nobles for that,” groaned the man as he slowly regained his feet.

De la Zouch glanced contemptuously at him and turned to depart, but he was not to go so easily.

“Nay, forsooth,” cried the pedlar, clapping his hands upon the shoulders of the nobleman.  “And thou wilt forget thy debts it behoves me to insist.”

With a curse the latter turned round again, but seeing the determined aspect of the man, he pulled out three golden nobles and offered them to him.

The packman laughed.

“What!” he exclaimed.  “I must have more than that for my bruises alone.”

“Thou art insolent; that is all I shall give thee; take it or leave it and get thee gone.  Thy word would never weigh against mine.”

“Well, master,” returned the other, “it is a case of life or death, and you value your life at three sorry nobles?  I would take that rather than the money, for Manners is a friend to the poor,” and grasping his thick stick with both his hands he struck at De la Zouch with all his might.