Michael placed the basket upon the table, and we at once proceeded to make ourselves comfortable. "Ah! my dear, we shall have a pleasant holiday, and in the evening return. Our dear friend, Master Catesby, shall arrive at Westminster to find that the bird hath flown. Then he may curse his misfortune and proceed to join his murderous master. Pray God I do but meet him in the field. Then shall there be no truncheon to be flung down to stop our fight, as was done at the tournament." "Yes, Walter dear, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with your great sword, you drove him senseless from his horse." "But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment. Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caught fairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemed greatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt. "What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whom Michael did show such attention?" "In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend to tell thee yet." "And was Mary the other?" "Yes." "Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot." "Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth." "Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughingly replied. "Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore the whole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and patted me on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked. "Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all do meet." Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had I partaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my side the truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. And there was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching us with admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sat together, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingers had put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to her arrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of soft moonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens. "Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our old happy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel. "Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that are now past make us to appreciate happiness the more." And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should now be well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old house that had stood waiting for its young master for many a day. Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubts as to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming from some room within the house.