and deference of the courtier. It was a good figure he made as he
stepped down from the bank and came forward, hat in hand, the sun, now
rising to the top of the hedge, lighting up his face and showing his
bold profile, his open and straight blue eye.

"Ladies," he said, as he reached the road, "I crave your pardon humbly.
This, I think, is the coach of my Lord, the Earl of Banbury. Mayhap this
is the Lady Catharine Knollys to whom I speak?"

The lady addressed still gazed at him, though she drew up with dignity.

"You have quite the advantage of us," said she. She glanced uneasily at
the coachman, but the order to go forward did not quite leave her lips.

"I am not aware--I do not know--," she began, afraid of her adventure
now it had come, after the way of all dreaming maids who prate of men
and conquests.

"I should be dull of eye did I not see the Knollys arms," said the
stranger, smiling and bowing low. "And I should be ill advised of the
families of England did I not know that the daughter of Knollys, the
sister of the Earl of Banbury, is the Lady Catharine, and most charming
also. This I might say, though 'tis true I never was in London or in
England until now."

The speech, given with all respectfulness, did not fail of flattery.
Again the order to drive on remained unspoken. This speaker, whose foot
was now close to the carriage step, and whose head, gravely bowed as he
saluted the occupants of the vehicle, presented so striking a type of
manly attractiveness, even that first moment cast some spell upon the