"But why Sir Ronald?" asked De Lacey. "He is a simple enough knight, I
trow."

"Pooh, I care naught for him," replied Sir George Vernon; "he is
jealous of the beauty of my daughters."

"And wants a husband for his child," added Lady Maude.

"Let him want, then," testily returned the baron. "He may turn green
with envy for aught I care. I'll do it to his face, I will."

But in the end wiser counsels prevailed, and the knight gave way so
far as to order a trial of touch--a superstitious form of trial much
relied upon in the times when witchcraft was commonly believed in.

The witching hour of twilight was chosen for this crude but solemn
trial, and at the time appointed a large crowd was gathered in the
great courtyard of Haddon in obedience to a mandate of the King of the
Peak, which they dared not disobey.

As the crowd swayed to and fro it was in marked contrast to the usual
way in which they were wont to assemble within the great walls of
Haddon. No loud laugh or sound of boisterous merriment broke the
stillness of this solemn eventide; no tricks were attempted now upon
unconscious friends, and even the almost invariable little groups of
admirers listening to the marvellously strange tales of those who
had crossed the seas were not to be found. All was silent save the
screeching of the owls every now and again, and the subdued hum
of conversation which rose up from the awestruck assembly as they