"The Coleford people are mad angry with the King, as are most others in the Forest. No wonder, from the way Sir John Wintour has been behaving to them since he got the monopoly grant of what his Majesty had no right to give--rights that are theirs. Their blood's up about it, and just now to appear in the streets of Coleford dressed as you are, cavalier and courtier fashion, might be attended with danger." "I'll risk--defy it!" "Bravely spoken, and I've no doubt you'd bravely do both. But there's no need for your doing one or the other." "If you describe these Coleford fellows aright, how can I help it, Sir Richard? My road passes through their town." "True, but there's a way you may avoid it." "Oh! I'm not going to skulk round, taking bypaths, like a thief or deer-stealer. I'll give them a fight first." "And that fight might be your last--likely would, Master Trevor. But no. You've fought your way _into_ the Forest so gallantly, it behoves him you all but conquered to see you safe out of it. To do which, however, I must ask you to give up all thoughts of sleeping either at Monmouth or Coleford, and be my guest for the night." "But where, Sir Richard? I did not know that you had a house in the Forest." "Nor have I. But one of my friends has; and I think I can promise you fair hospitality in it--by proxy. Besides, that little hole I've made in your hand--sorry at having made it--needs looking to without delay, and my friend has some skill as a surgeon. I could offer some other inducements that might help in deciding you--as, for instance, a pair of pretty faces to see. But coming from the Court of Queen Henriette, with her galaxy of grand dames, perhaps you've had a surfeit of that sort of thing." The young courtier shifted uneasily in his saddle, a slight blush coming over his cheeks, as though the words rather gave him pain. "If not," continued Sir Richard, without heeding these indices of emotion, "I can promise to show you something rare in the way of feminine beauty. For that I'll back Sabrina and Vaga against all your maids of honour and court ladies--the Queen included--and win with either." "_Sabrina! Vaga_! Singular names! May I ask who the ladies are?" "You may do more--make their acquaintance, if you consent to my proposal. You will?" "Sir Richard, your kindness overpowers me. I am at your service every way." "Thanks! Let us on, then, without delay. We've yet full five miles of road before us, ere we can reach the cage that holds this pair of pretty birds. _Allons_!" At which he gave his horse the spur, Trevor doing the same; and once more the two rode side by side; but friendly now--even to affection. CHAPTER THREE. BEAUTIFUL FOREST BIRDS.