"Lady Rookwood, I bid you farewell," said Luke, in a tone in which scorn and sorrow were blended. "We shall meet again." "We have not parted yet," returned she; "will you let this man pass? A thousand pounds for his life." "Upon the nail?" asked Rust. "By the living God, if any of you attempt to touch him, I will blow his brains out upon the spot, be he friend or foe," cried Jack. "Luke Bradley, _we_ shall meet again. You shall hear from me." "Lady Rookwood," said Luke, as he departed, "I shall not forget this night." "Is all ready?" asked Palmer of his comrades. "All." "Then budge." "Stay!" cried Lady Rookwood, in a whisper to him. "What will purchase that document?" "Hem!" "A thousand pounds?" "Double it." "It _shall_ be doubled." "I will turn it over." "Resolve me now." "You shall hear from me." "In what manner?" "I will find speedy means." "Your name is Palmer?" "Palmer is the name he goes by, your ladyship," replied Coates, "but it is the fashion with these rascals to have an alias." "Ha! ha!" said Jack, thrusting the ramrod into his pistol-barrel, "are you there, Mr. Coates? Pay your wager, sir." "What wager?" "The hundred we bet that you would take me if ever you had the chance." "Take _you_!--it was Dick Turpin I betted to take." "_I_ am DICK TURPIN--that's my alias!" replied Jack. "Dick Turpin! then I'll have a snap at you at all hazards," cried Coates, springing suddenly towards him. "And I at you," said Turpin, discharging his pistol right in the face of the rash attorney; "there's a quittance in full." _BOOK III_ _THE GIPSY_ Lay a garland on my hearse Of the dismal yew; Maidens, willow branches bear, Say I died true. My love was false, but I was firm From my hour of birth; Upon my buried body lie Lightly, gentle earth. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. _CHAPTER I_ _A MORNING RIDE_ I had a sister, who among the race Of gipsies was the fairest. Fair she was In gentle blood, and gesture to her beauty. BROME. On quitting Lady Rookwood's chamber, Luke speeded along the gloomy corridor, descended the spiral stairs, and, swiftly traversing sundry other dark passages, issued from a door at the back of the house. Day was just beginning to break. His first object had been to furnish himself with means to expedite his flight; and, perceiving no one in the yard, he directed his hasty steps towards the stable. The door was fortunately unfastened; and, entering, he found a strong roan horse, which he knew, from description, had been his father's favorite hunter, and to the use of which he now considered himself fully entitled. The animal roused himself as he approached, shook his glossy coat, and neighed, as if he recognized the footsteps and voice.