if thou wilt. I will tell them you are a gardener if they ask aught
about thee," and in answer to the beckoning of his wife, Sir Ronald
left his newly-discovered relation and hastened across the green.




CHAPTER VI.

DE LA ZOUCH INDULGES IN A LITTLE VILLANY.

If I can do it
By aught that I can speak in his dispraise,
She shall not long continue love to him.

SHAKESPEARE.


The Courtly hall of Haddon was never quiet for long together, and very
soon both the death of the witch and the warning of the locksmith
were forgotten amid the preparations which were being made for a grand
ball. Sir Thomas Stanley, having wooed Margaret, had successfully
petitioned the sanction and blessing of Sir George and Lady Vernon,
and the event was to celebrate their betrothal.

The morning of the festive day had opened fair, and as the day sped
on, the guests rapidly assembled. De Lacey was there, delighting the
ladies, as usual, with his braggadocio. Manners and Crowleigh were
both there too, by special invitation, and, of course, cousin Benedict
à Woode, who made no scruple of inviting himself to Haddon Hall if by