Betty smiled. “You will need to be prompt,” she said lightly; “my uncle waits for no man and is ever beforehand with time.” “’Twould be a shame on me to be a laggard at such a time,” he answered. “Ah, Betty, how different the world looks when love touches it with golden fingers! I do think that I bear no man malice or ill-will, but rather would be friends even with mine enemies, but never with thine.” A cloud passed over her face. “I pray you,” she said slowly “remember to avoid Barton Henge. My Lady Crabtree predicts that he will yet endeavor to do us some great mischief, and it makes me uneasy for you.” “Fear not for me, my love,” he replied tenderly; “and as for you, surely the love that enfolds you shall ward off this snake. But I will be mindful of your fears, albeit I think he will avoid me as he would a pestilence.” “I know not,” she said, shaking her head; “my heart is full of misgivings when I think of how he set upon you like a cut-throat.” “And I cannot but rejoice that you are anxious,” he said softly, “since it shows that my safety concerns you.” She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes. “’Tis more to me than my own,” she said very low. He kissed her hand passionately, although Sir William Carew was coming down the walk toward them. “Your love,” he said, “has made a new life for me. I swore when I left Raby Castle that I would not return until I brought it the fairest mistress in all England.” “Alas, sir,” she answered, smiling, “’twas a foolish oath, and not likely to be fulfilled.” Without regarding their feelings, Sir William Carew cut short their talk, which might have continued long; for they were lovers, and knew how to make much of a little matter. He held a package of papers in his hand, sealed with red seals, and gave it to Raby. “I would have that sent by a sure hand to Cromwell,” he said; “it pertains to some matters of the county of Devon and claims his eye, yet is not so important that I need take it in person.” “It shall be delivered directly,” Raby replied, putting it in his breast; “’tis time I went, doubtless you came to remind me.” “Ay,” Carew answered, smiling; “I remember the days when I lingered so. It is nearly noon, however, and you were to have gone an hour since.” “My excuse is so admirable that I deserve forgiveness,” Simon said, laughing; but he hastened his farewells, and in a few moments he and Sir William were walking to the water-stairs together, while Betty waved her handkerchief from the terrace. “You have your rogue yet with you, I see,” Carew remarked, his eye lighting on Raby’s groom. “Shaxter?” Simon replied, smiling; “ay, I had forgotten your prejudice. He is a useful fellow.” “He looks it!” said Carew, with a shrug; “farewell, and forget not the packet.”