The rope was gone from the tree on the lawn, but Dick ran past it with a shudder. It was good to be alive, and how near he had been to death! That evening the table was spread in the dining-room, with more candles to light it than usual. There were great bowls of roses, and strawberries in silver dishes, with creams and jellies enough for three times the number of guests. Lady Dorothy Byng wore her white satin and pearls, and a cluster of damask roses in her hair. She was more gay and more beautiful, Dick thought, than he had ever seen her before. At the end of the feast Dick stood up and cried lustily: "His Majesty the King! God bless him!" Her Ladyship rose and curtsied, and they drank the health together. Her Ladyship leaned back in her chair, but Dick remained standing, and Philip refilled the glass. He turned the glass in his fingers. "I'd made a lovely speech, Cousin," he said, and the lights seemed curiously dim, "but I--I can't remember a word. I'd die for you, though, and I love you, and I wish you very many happy years and a long--" "Not that, Dick," she said, lifting her hand. "I don't think I'll care for a long life. But I like the rest very much, Dick. Thank you. Philip, you may go." Dick's eyes saw things more plainly now. He looked at her steadily. "What have I said to make you weep?" he asked. "Nothing. Come here, dear. There! I think I'm tired again, Dickie." Dick kissed her. "You go and rest, Cousin," he said cheerfully. "All these candles make one's head ache this hot night." "Yes, Dick, but I want you first to add one clause to your dear little speech." "What?" he said. "I want you to say, instead of dying, that you'll live with me always. That you'll never leave me for a day." "Add that!" he cried. "Did I need to? You know I never will." "Say it, though, Dickie. 'Whatever happens' say." Dick said it and drank the toast, and his cousin left him with a good-night kiss. CHAPTER XVI HER LADYSHIP'S PROMISE Dick was in bed and half-asleep when old Philip tapped at his door and came in. "Are you asleep, master?" he said softly. Dick sat up. "What's the matter, Philip?" he asked. "Eh, eh, sir, matter enough," the old man muttered. "Her Ladyship sent me to you." "Is her Ladyship abed, Philip? Is she resting?" "Nay, there'll be no rest for her to-night, master." The old man sat down by the bedside as he spoke. "She was for not having you told," he went on slowly, "but Bridget overruled her, and I upheld my wife. 'Tis only fitting you should hear. You must know there was a price paid for your life this morning, Master Richard." "What for? What price?" asked Dick. "Her Ladyship gave her word to marry that black coward and traitor, Mr. John Dent." Dick started up, gasping. "John Dent! Promised to marry John Dent?" "Ay, on condition he did not hang thee." Dick fell back, shaking nervously. "I'd better--" he began, "I'd rather have hanged than that."