Gil's heart gave a leap of joy at the invitation, while Sir Mark's countenance grew black as night. It resumed, its former aspect, though, as he heard Gil refuse, and merely request permission to stay where they were for a time, after which he said they would go their way. "I'd give something to know how those two came so near being drowned," said the founder, as he walked over the little bridge with Sir Mark. "I'd give something," said Sir Mark to himself, "if that meddling priest had left the scoundrel to die in peace. How I hate him, to be sure." Meanwhile, Mace, who had been upon her knees in her little chamber, praying with all her soul for her lover's life, had now changed her prayer to thanksgiving, and at last stood by the window, and exchanged a look with him, as she saw him walk slowly away, with Wat Kilby, whose pipe was lit, and who was smoking as if nothing whatever had been amiss. As to how the accident had occurred, that was the secret of the two sufferers, the guests that evening of Master Peasegood, whose luces were not sought for till the next morning, by which time three-parts had managed to get away, or rid themselves of their steel, leaving the floating bladders alone for the parson's crook. Volume 2, Chapter V. HOW SIR MARK VISITED DAME BECKLEY'S GARDEN OF SIMPLES. In the course of the morning a mounted messenger came on to the Pool-house with a despatch for Sir Mark, whose brow clouded as he read that it was a peremptory recall to town. He handed the despatch to the founder, who read it quietly, and returned it. "Hah," he said, "then I am to lose my guest. I hope Sir Mark does not quarrel with my hospitality." "Nay, but I do," said Sir Mark, petulantly. "You deny me the very one thing I ask." "And what is that?" said the founder. "Your daughter's hand, Master Cobbe." "Nay, nay, she's no mate for thee, my lad, so let that rest." "But I cannot,--I will not," cried Sir Mark. "But thou must, and thou shalt," said the founder. "Now, what can I do to speed thee on thy journey?" "Nothing," was the reply, "for Sir Thomas has sent a spare horse for my service. Good Master Cobbe, hearken to me. Come: you will accept me as your son-in-law of the future?" "Go back to the fine madams of the court, my lad, and you'll forget my little lass in a week." "Nay, by Heaven, I never shall." "And we shall never see thee more." "You consent?" "No," said the founder, sternly. "Good-bye, my lad, and I hope thou forgivest me the prick in the shoulder I gave thee." "Forgive? I bless you for it," cried Sir Mark, enthusiastically; "and as to our never meeting again, why, man, I shall be back here ere a month has gone by." "Harkye," cried the founder, laying his hand on the other's arm, "this can only be by some trick or other of thine in thy report. Sir Mark Leslie, if thou play'st me false, look well to thyself."