They clambered up the bank, a task not easy of accomplishment, and took Ian Menstrie at once to the tree which was close by. Aline put on her clothes, taking the remains of her linen shift for bandages. Luckily she had on several occasions in her father’s house helped to nurse the injured and knew how to bind the collar bone and make as good a piece of work of the ankle as the extemporised bandages would allow. Then bidding him good-bye the children hurried back to the Hall. Aline longed to take him food but decided that, sad as it was, it would be better to run no risks whatever. Moreover, she wanted to discover the passage under the moat and there was none too long before the evening meal. CHAPTER IV THE PRISONER As they walked rapidly back, their tongues moved faster than their feet. “Well, you’ve beaten Burd Aline,” said Audry, laughing; “you’ve rescued your knight before you even know his name. But I’m quite sure it’s all the wrong way round;--the knight should rescue his lady. Besides, what’s the good of a man in homespun; you need some grand person; you do not know how to do these things, my lady. I wonder who he is.” “He’s Scots anyway; one can tell that from his accent.” “I suppose you think a Scots peasant better than an English gentleman.” “I will not be denying it,” laughed Aline. “Oh! then yours shall be a peasant-knight, you always choose things different from other people. But I like his face, it looks strong.” “Yes, but I am afraid he has had a terrible time,” said Aline; “how sad those deep-set eyes are; but they seem determined.” “Don’t you like his mouth and chin? It’s a strong chin and I like those well-shaped sensitive lips.” “Yes, but I think the eyes are more striking.” “It’s no good, though, having a knight at all, certainly not a peasant-knight,” said Audry roguishly, “unless he has nice lips.” Aline smiled. “You’re getting frivolous. Now be serious, we have a great deal to do.”