_Ste._ Eldra? By Pharo's ghost! Let me see--ten years. It might be--yes--her very complexion--the pert eye--the little foot--the canny twitch to her lips--and her man drowned at sea. Well, I'm pickled. She has built up such a Solomon's glory picture o' me that plain Stephen Godfrey will never get another chance. _He_ had an arm! Ha! Did I? An eye like Sallydeen! A leg like Lion-heart! Ha! [_Struts up and down_] But now I'm father Longbeard. Well, I'll shave off this weeping willow tree anyhow. [_Re-enter Eldra_] _Eld._ Good sir, are you here yet? _Ste._ [_Aside_] Good sir! Methinks I grow in favor. Ay, sweet madam. _Eld._ [_Aside_] He's lookin' softer now. Well a day, this is a world. Here they brought me and the lady Glaia to make sure we would be safe, and now they're taking us back for the same reason. Ay me, and a lonely, dreary place it is we're goin' to, with never a civil gentleman like yourself to sit out the night wi' a stoop o' ale an' cakes o' my own raisin'. _Ste._ My good madam, if you will give me the tip o' the road, I'll not be a slow traveller when the business of war will let an honest soldier course to his liking. _Eld._ O, 'tis secret, sir. My lady is hid away for some reason of God or the devil, and I'll not be so false as to let a stranger on the track. _Ste._ Am I a stranger, madam? Did not my good arm no more than an hour ago procure me warrant for better treatment? Come! As you say, there'll be lonely times, and a discreet companion who knows how to keep his tongue behind his teeth will not come amiss on a rainy day. _Eld._ [_Aside_] How can it be harm to tell my own man when the good priest said we were one flesh? 'Twill only be tellin' my own ears. Well, sir, if you'll swear by St. Peter's thumb and the crucifix you'll never let anybody know---- _Ste._ By St. Peter's thumb and the crucifix--and your black eyes, too--I swear! _Eld._ Then take the straight road to--O, I'm afraid! _Ste._ Courage, my pretty! There's not a cricket to hear you. _Eld._ The straight road to Greenot woods, and two miles in the forest where the brook crosses, ride up the stream half a mile to a tall red ash standin' alone, and three miles by the path to the right brings you to the place you'll find me. Now I've done it! No, don't thank me for bein' a fool. _Ste._ Nay, a woman, dearie. _Eld._ I must run to my mistress. [_Exit Eldra, Stephen following_] _Hen._ [_Coming forward_] Go, Stephen with the Lion's leg. You'll haste If I be not before you. Am I bound To Margaret? By others' mouths, perhaps. But certain not at all by oath of mine. [_Enter friar Sebastian_] What holy gloom comes here? Friar Sebastian, One time the counsellor to Isabel. Do you not know me, father? _Fr. Seb._ [_Kneeling_] Gracious king! _Hen._ Nay, rise and bless me.