CHAPTER PAGE I. AN EXPLOSION 1 II. THE BROKEN MATCH 12 III. THE MIRROR 26 IV. PARTING 36 V. SISTER AVICE 46 VI. THE PROCTOR 57 VII. THE PILGRIM OF SALISBURY 68 VIII. OLD PLAYFELLOWS 80 IX. THE KING-MAKER 87 X. COLD WELCOME 101 XI. BERNARD 112 XII. WORD FROM THE WARS 127 XIII. A KNOT 137 XIV. THE LONELY BRIDE 150 XV. WAKEFIELD BRIDGE 159 XVI. A NEW MASTER 169 XVII. STRANGE GUESTS 177 XVIII. WITCHERY 185 XIX. A MARCH HARE 195 XX. A BLIGHT ON THE WHITE ROSE 205 XXI. THE WOUNDED KNIGHT 213 XXII. THE CITY OF BRIDGES 222 XXIII. THE CANKERED OAK GALL 231 XXIV. GRISELL’S PATIENCE 244 XXV. THE OLD DUCHESS 253 XXVI. THE DUKE’S DEATH 260 XXVII. FORGET ME NOT 268 XXVIII. THE PAGEANT 274 XXIX. DUCHESS MARGARET 285 XXX. THE WEDDING CHIMES 295 CHAPTER I AN EXPLOSION It was a great pity, so it was, this villanous saltpetre should be digg’d out of the bowels of the harmless earth. SHAKESPEARE, _King Henry IV._, Part I. A TERRIBLE shriek rang through the great Manor-house of Amesbury. It was preceded by a loud explosion, and there was agony as well as terror in the cry. Then followed more shrieks and screams, some of pain, some of fright, others of anger and recrimination. Every one in the house ran together to the spot whence the cries proceeded, namely, the lower court, where the armourer and blacksmith had their workshops. There was a group of children, the young people who were confided to the great Earl Richard and Countess Alice of Salisbury for education and training. Boys and girls were alike there, some of the latter crying and sobbing, others mingling with the lads in the hot dispute as to “who did it.” By the time the gentle but stately Countess had reached the place, all the grown-up persons of the establishment—knights, squires, grooms, scullions, and females of every degree—had thronged round them, but parted at her approach, though one of the knights said, “Nay, Lady Countess, ’tis no sight for you. The poor little maid is dead, or nigh upon it.” “But who is it? What is it?” asked the Countess, still advancing.