“Thou art right, by all the saints,” replied the other; “and be thou friend or foe, I will see to whom I am indebted for this sage reproof.”

So saying, he darted towards the place where the page was concealed, and Hector, hiding his face as much as possible, bowed with an air of profound respect before him.

“Ha! whom have we here?” he asked, surveying the page with extreme curiosity.

“The page of my lady De la Tour;” returned Hector, his laughing eye drooping beneath the inquisitorial gaze.

“A pretty popinjay, brought out for my lady’s amusement!” said the stranger, smiling; “you make rare sport with your antic tricks, at the fort yonder, I doubt not, boy.”

“I am but a poor substitute for my lord’s lieutenant, whose mirth was as far-famed as his courage;” returned the page, gravely.

“Thou art a saucy knave!” said the other, quickly; but instantly checking himself, he added, “and how fares it with your lady, in the absence of her lord?”

“She is well, thank heaven, but”—­

“But what?” interrupted the stranger, eagerly; “is any one—­has any misfortune reached her?”

“None, which she has not had the courage to resist; the baffled foe can tell you a tale of constancy and firmness, which the bravest soldier might be proud to emulate.”

“Bravely spoken, my little page; and your lady doubtless found an able assistant and counsellor in you! ha! how fared it with you, when the din of battle sounded in your ears?”

“Indifferently well,” said the page, with a suppressed smile; “I am but a novice in the art of war.  But have you learned aught that has befallen us?”

“A rumour only has reached me, but I hope soon to obtain more accurate and satisfactory information.”

“You will hardly gain admittance to the fort in that harlequin dress,” said Hector; “and I can save you the trouble of attempting it, by answering all the inquiries you may wish to make.”

“Can you?” asked the other, with an incredulous smile; “then you are more deeply skilled than I could think, or wish you to be.”

“It may be so,” returned the page, significantly; “but you will soon find that the knowledge which you seek to gain, is as well known to me, as to any one whom you hope to find there.”

“You speak enigmas, boy,” said the other, sharply; “tell me quickly to whom, and what you allude?”

“Go, ask my lady,” said the page, with provoking calmness; “I may not betray the secrets of her household.”

“You!” said the other, scornfully; “a pretty stripling, truly, to receive the confidence of your lady.”

“If not my lady’s,” replied the page, “perhaps her young companion has less discretion in her choice of confidants.”

“Ha!” said the stranger, starting, and changing colour, in spite of his tawny disguise; “what say you of her? speak; and speak truly, for I shall soon know if thou art false, from her own lips.”