ungallant to the last degree.

De la Zouch darted a look of intense wrath at the old man, but as the
latter was yet rearranging his collar, the effort was lost.

"Nay, nay, sweet Dorothy," he said, "I meant to say naught that would
vex thee, for I would have thee smile upon me and not frown; and if my
words have not been pleasing to thee in the past, I am sorry for it,
and will endeavour to amend my ways in the future."

"Where do we go to-day?" asked Dorothy, not noticing his last remark.
"We are full late for the woodcock, and the partridges are not yet
ready."

"There are plenty of sparrows on the wing," exclaimed Sir Benedict à
Woode, who had been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to join in the
conversation.

"Aha! Sir Benedict," she replied. "Methought thou wert too unwell to
join us to-day, but thou hast weathered the attack, I see."

"Now, could I stay away, fair cousin, when I knew thou wert among the
merry company?" gallantly responded the knight.

"'Twas but the wine got into his head, Dorothy," insinuated Sir Henry.

Dorothy, according to the fashion of the time, was carrying a hawk,
one which she herself had trained, upon her wrist, which was protected
from the beak and talons of the bird by a large thick glove. She
looked upon the noble bird, and felt proud of her treasure.