There was a pause, as the discomfited secretary came back, and the guide exclaimed, “Come, my masters, be not daunted!  Will none of you come on?  Hath none of you faith in your love?  Oh, fie!”

“We are married men, good women,” said Richard, hoping to put an end to the scene, “and thus can laugh at your well.”

“But will not these pretty ladies try it?  It speaks as sooth to lass as to lad.”

“I am ready,” said Barbara Mowbray, as Curll gave her his hand to bound lightly down the steps.  And to the general amazement, no sooner had “Gilbert” echoed from her lips than the fountains again burst forth, the water rose, and she had no difficulty in reaching it, while no one could help bursting forth in applause.  Her Gilbert fervently kissed the hand she gave him to aid her steps up the slope, and Dame Emmott, in triumphant congratulation, scanned them over and exclaimed, “Ay, trust the well for knowing true sweetheart and true maid.  Come you next, fair mistress?” Poor Mary Seaton shook her head, with a look that the kindly woman understood, and she turned towards Cicely, who had a girl’s unthinking impulse of curiosity, and had already put her hand into Humfrey’s, when his father exclaimed, “Nay, nay, the maid is yet too young!” and the Queen added, “Come back, thou silly little one, these tests be not for babes like thee.”

She was forced to be obedient, but she pouted a little as she was absolutely held fast by Richard Talbot’s strong hand.  Humfrey was disappointed too; but all was bright with him just then, and as the party turned to make the descent, he said to her, “It matters not, little Cis!  I’m sure of thee with the water or without, and after all, thou couldst but have whispered my name, till my father lets us speak all out!”

They were too much hemmed in by other people for a private word, and a little mischievous banter was going on with Sir Andrew Melville, who was supposed to have a grave elderly courtship with Mistress Kennedy.  Humfrey was left in the absolute bliss of ignorance, while the old habit and instinct of joy and gladness in his presence reasserted itself in Cis, so that, as he handed her down the rocks, she answered in the old tone all his inquiries about his mother, and all else that concerned them at home, Diccon meantime risking his limbs by scrambling outside the path, to keep abreast of his brother, and to put in his word whenever he could.

On reaching the smithy, Humfrey had to go round another way to fetch his horse, and could hardly hope to come up with the rest before they reached Buxton.  His brother was spared to go with him, but his father was too important a part of the escort to be spared.  So Cicely rode near the Queen, and heard no more except the Earl’s version of Dr. Jones’s explanation of the intermitting spring.  They reached home only just in time to prepare for supper, and the two youths appeared almost simultaneously,