ran to her father, who was sitting at the board, with Wendot standing
beside him listening eagerly to his talk. The boy's handsome face was
alight, and he seemed full of eager interest in what was being said.
Lord Montacute frequently raised his head and gave the lad a look of
keen scrutiny. Even whilst caressing his little daughter his interest
seemed to be centred in Wendot, and when at parting the lad held his
stirrup for him, and gently restrained little Gertrude, who was in
danger of being trampled on by the pawing charger, Lord Montacute looked
for a moment very intently at the pair, and then let his glance wander
for a moment over the grand fortress of Dynevor and the beautiful valley
it commanded.

Then he turned once more to Wendot with a kindly though penetrating smile.

"In the absence of your father, Wendot, you are the master and guardian
of this castle, its occupants and its treasures. I render my little
daughter into your safe keeping. Of your hands I shall ask her back when
I return in a week's time."

Wendot flushed with pleasure and gratification. What boy does not like
the thought of being looked upon as his father's substitute? He raised
his head with a gesture of pride, and clasped the little soft hand of
Gertrude more closely in his.

"I will take the trust, Lord Montacute," he said. "I will hold myself
responsible for the safety of Lady Gertrude. At my hands demand her when
you return. If she is not safe and well, take my life as the forfeit."

Lord Montacute smiled slightly at the manly words and bearing of the
lad, but he did not like him the less for either. As for little