“‘Does this place then deal in abducted maidens?’ I demanded; and got for answer that I was the first woman of quality to cross these halls since the lord’s mother was laid in yonder chapel.

“Then suddenly my courage left me, and I grew faint and would have fallen had she not led me to the couch.  With the morning came fresh strength; and ignoring the loose chamber robe she laid out and urged upon me, I donned my riding skirt and waited.  But that day passed; and the second was in darkness when I heard a trumpet call and then much commotion in the courtyard; and presently there were steps in the corridor, followed by a knock upon the door.  When I opened it I gave a cry of glad surprise; instead of the abductor, it was Lord Darby who entered smiling and gay.

“I suppose the sharp shift of feeling was too much for my wrought-up nerves, for I began to cry and laugh by turns; and when I came back to calmness, I found him at my feet and holding my hand, and . . . talking foolishness.  But my sole idea was to be gone, and I told him so curtly and started for the door.  To my amaze, he stepped in front of me, and as I would have slipped by he caught my arm.  I tried to fling him off, but unavailingly.  Then he gravely led me to a chair and bowed me into it.

“‘Bear with me, Countess, I pray you,’ he said, and fell to talking foolishness, again.

“But I told him it was quite useless; that the question had been finally settled between us at Windsor, as he ought to know, and prayed him not to weaken my gratitude for the rescue by pressing the subject further.  I did it gently as I could, but I saw his anger rising.

“He had been kneeling; now he arose and stood with folded arms, looking down at me.

“‘Tell me, Countess,’ he said, ‘is this your final answer?’

“‘It is, Lord Darby,’ I replied, and springing by him I tried to make the door.  But he was before me and turned the key.

“It were folly to grow violent in my helplessness, and I swept him a mocking curtsy.

“’Will you tell me if I am captive to Lord Darby or to him who rules this castle?’ I asked.

“He bowed back at me until his plume almost touched the floor.

“‘To both, fair Countess,’ he answered, ’for this is Roxford Castle, and I am its lord and your abductor.’

“‘What a despicable scoundrel you are!’ I exclaimed, trying to hold my voice steady and keep a brave front—­though my heart had suddenly become as lead, and I thanked God for my dagger.

“‘It is a pity you should view your future lord with so poor esteem,’ he returned.  ’For here you stay until the bans are tied as tight as priest can knot them.’

“‘The Church mates not the quick with a corpse,’ I answered.

“He shrugged his shoulders.  ‘True, Countess,’ he replied.  ’But one must risk something; and few women go in search of death.  Nathless, it is the only way you can escape me now.’