’Not of necessity so, cousin, while you can choose between us;—­although I freely grant that a marquis with four legs is to be preferred before a marquis with only two.—­But what if you changed his name?’

’I fear it could not be done, my lord.  He has been Marquis all his life.’

’And I have been marquis only six months!  Clearly he hath the better right—.  But there would be constant mistakes between us, for I cannot bring myself to lay aside the honour his majesty hath conferred upon me, “which would be worn now in its newest gloss, not cast aside so soon,” as master Shakspere says.  Besides, it would be a slight to his majesty, and that must not be thought of—­not for all the dogs in parliament or out of it.  No—­it would breed factions in the castle too.  No; one of us two must die.’

‘Then, indeed, I must go,’ said Dorothy, her voice trembling as she spoke; for although the words of the marquis were merry, she yet feared for her friend.

’Tut! tut! let the older marquis die:  he has enjoyed the title; I have not.  Give him to Tom Fool:  he will drown him in the moat.  He shall be buried with honour—­under his rival’s favourite apple-tree in the orchard.  What more could dog desire?’

‘No, my lord,’ answered Dorothy.  ’Will you allow me to take my leave?  If I only knew where to find my horse!’

‘What! would you saddle him yourself, cousin Vaughan?’

’As well as e’er a knave in your lordship’s stables.  I am very sorry to displease you, but to my dog’s death I cannot and will not consent.  Pardon me, my lord.’

The last words brought with them a stifled sob, for she scarcely doubted any more that he was in earnest.

’It is assuredly not gratifying to a marquis of the king’s making to have one of a damsel’s dubbing take the precedence of him.  I fear you are a roundhead and hold by the parliament.  But no—­that cannot be, for you are willing to forsake your new cousin for your old dog.  Nay, alas! it is your old cousin for your young dog.  Puritan! puritan!  Well, it cannot be helped.  But what! you would ride home alone!  Evil men are swarming, child.  This sultry weather brings them out like flies.’

‘I shall not be alone, my lord.  Marquis will take good care of me.’

’Indeed, my lord marquis will pledge himself to nothing outside his own walls.’

‘I meant the dog, my lord.’

’Ah! you see how awkward it is.  However, as you will not choose between us—­and to tell the truth, I am not yet quite prepared to die—­we must needs encounter what is inevitable.  I will send for one of the keepers to take him to the smithy, and get him a proper collar—­one he can’t slip like that he left at home—­and a chain.’

’I must go with him myself, my lord.  They will never manage him else.’

’What a demon you have brought into my peaceable house!  Go with him, by all means.  And mind you choose him a kennel yourself.—­You do not desire him in your chamber, do you, mistress?’