“By Holy Mary! my young mistress speaks the truth,” said old Dorcas, her teeth chattering with fright. “I counted the villains. There are six of them.” “Then they will be three to two,” rejoined the Prince, lightly. “We can manage that odds, eh, Master Clinton?” “Your Highness must not thus expose yourself,” said Constance. “It will be impossible to escape them. I pray you to be ruled by me, and enter the hospital till a guard be procured.” “I am well content to do so, if you will tarry with me,” answered Philip. “But who will bring the guard?” “Be that task mine,” cried Osbert. “As soon as your Highness is in safety, I will fly to procure assistance.” “Nay, you must not go, Sir,” said Constance. “The peril will be as great to you as to the Prince himself. You will only throw away your life in the attempt. I will summon the watch. I shall run no risk.” “She will, at least, pity me if I fall—I will go!” mentally ejaculated Osbert. “I will procure your Highness instant admittance to the hospital,” said Constance, “and then——” “Nay, you must bear me company, or I will not enter,” interrupted Philip. Osbert waited till they had nearly reached the door of the hospital, and then, drawing his sword, rushed down the passage leading to the street. “Ah! rash young man!” exclaimed Constance, in accents of pity which might have gratified Osbert if he could have heard them. “He is rushing to certain destruction.” Scarcely were the words uttered, when the clashing of steel was heard without, accompanied by other sounds, proving that a desperate conflict was going on. “I must leave you, Constance, and fly to his assistance,” cried the Prince, plucking his rapier from its sheath. “No,” she rejoined, holding him. “Your life is too precious to be thus sacrificed—too precious to the Queen.” “I will strike down these assassins in her name,” rejoined Philip. “I am proof against their blades. The son of Charles V. is not destined to perish thus obscurely.” “’Twere far better you sought an asylum here; but, if go you will, may Heaven and all good saints guard you!” And as she relinquished her hold of him, and sought to enter the hospital, she found the door was fastened. Perceiving this, old Dorcas knocked against it, calling out lustily, “Within! I say, within!” But there being no answer to the summons, she added despairingly, “Deaf old Absalom, the porter, must have gone to bed. What will become of us?”