Spinks scarcely withdrew his hand from Mericour’s neck; and scowling, said, ’Very odd gentleman—­very queer tidings, Master Berenger, to fell you like an ox.  I must be answerable for the fellow till his Honour comes.’

‘Ah! Eh quoi, wherefore not show the canaille your sword?’ said Mericour, impatiently.

‘It may not be here, in England,’ said Berenger (who fortunately was not wearing his weapon).  ’And in good time here comes my step-father,’ as the gate swung back, and Sir Marmaduke and Lady Thistlewood rode through it, the former sending his voice far before him to demand the meaning of the hurly-burly that filled his court.

Philip was the first to spring to his rein, exclaiming, ’Father, it is a Frenchman whom Spinks would have flogged at the cart’s-tail; but it seems he is a friend of Berenger’s, and has brought him tidings.  I know not what—­about his wife, I believe—­any way he is beside himself with joy.’

‘Sir, your Honour,’ shouted Spinks, again seizing Mericour, and striving to drag him forward, ’I would know whether the law is to be hindered from taking its course because my young Lord there is a Frenchman and bewitched.’

‘Ah,’ shrieked Lady Thistlewood, ’I knew it.  They will have sent secret poison to finish him.  Keep the fellow safe.  He will cast it in the air.’

‘Ay, ay, my Lady,’ said Spinks, ’there are plenty of us to testify that he made my young Lord fall back as in a swoon, and reel like one distraught.  Pray Heaven it have not gone further.’

‘Sir,’ exclaimed Berenger, who on the other side held his friend’s hand tight, ’this is a noble gentleman—­the brother of the Duke de Mericour.  He has come at great risk to bring me tidings of my dear and true wife.  And not one word will these demented rascals let me hear with their senseless clamour.’

‘Berenger!  You here, my boy!’ exclaimed Sir Marmaduke, more amazed by this than all the rest.

‘He touches him—­he holds him!  Ah! will no one tear him away?’ screamed Lady Thistlewood.  Nor would Spinks have been slow in obeying her if Sir Marmaduke had not swung his substantial form to the ground, and stepping up to the prisoner, rudely clawed on one side by Spinks, and affectionately grasped on the other side by Berenger, shouted—­

‘Let go, both!’ does he speak English?  Peace, dame!  If the lad be bewitched, it is the right way.  He looks like the other man.  Eh, lad, what does your friend say for himself?’

‘Sir,’ said Berenger, interpreting Mericour’s words as they were spoken, ’he has been robbed and misused at sea by Montgomery’s pirate crews.  He fled from court for the religion’s sake; he met her—­my wife’ (the voice was scarcely intelligible, so tremulously was it spoken), ’in hiding among the Huguenots—­he brings a letter and a token from her to my mother.’

’Ha!  And you know him?  You avouch him to be what he represents himself?’