"My Henry is wise beyond his years," replied the lady, "and I fear me not that he will submit to this necessity without a murmur." "No doubt, no doubt, dear lady; and you had better prepare him at once, for we know not how soon the blow may come." "My Henry," said Lady Margaret, "you are going to Skipton, to your good nurse Maud, who will take you to Londesborough, where you must live with her and her husband till there is peace again in the land, which we will both earnestly pray for. And you must remember, my child, that you are to pass for Maud's own son, and that you are to call her mother, and her husband, Robin, the shepherd, father. I have already explained to you what would be the terrible consequences should you ever forget this." "I will not forget, mother; but shall I never see you there? I love Maud very much, but not as I love you, my own dear mother!" And the noble boy threw himself into his mother's arms, laid his head upon her bosom, and burst into tears. She kissed him tenderly, and endeavoured to speak cheerfully. "My darling boy, this separation is only for the present, and I hope I shall be able to see you sometimes, for I intend, after awhile, to live at Londesborough, which is mine, and may some day be yours; but not yet, not till our enemies believe that you and your brother are far away beyond the seas; and even then, when I come to visit you, Henry, no one must know it except ourselves and nurse; for if it came to be known that I felt any interest about the shepherd's boy, the people might suspect who you are, and that is what we have to guard against." "And Richard, mother--is he to go away too?" "Yes, Henry, I must part with you both--but your little sister I may keep with me; it is not her life they seek. And now, my beloved child, you understand what it is you have to do--keep up a brave heart and endeavour not to repine at your lot, but be thankful you have not fallen into the hands of those who would show you no mercy. But above all, my son, put your trust in God, and pray to him that happier days may come, when we can be together again without fear or concealment."