into the garden. Truly, lady, I meant ye no harm or fright thereby."

He looked so drolly abashed as he stood before them, with his clothes
torn and soiled from the fall, his face red, and his eyes downcast, all
the while industriously twisting the piece of clematis in and around his
fingers, that Lady Anne's half-frightened anger could not last. She and
her cousin exchanged glances, and smiled at one another.

"But," said she at last, trying to draw her pretty brows together into a
frown, "tell me; why didst thou seek to climb the wall?"

"I came to seek a ball," said Myles, "which I struck over hither from
the court beyond."

"And wouldst thou come into our privy garden for no better reason than
to find a ball?" said the young lady.

"Nay," said Myles; "it was not so much to find the ball, but, in good
sooth, I did truly strike it harder than need be, and so, gin I lost the
ball, I could do no less than come and find it again, else our sport is
done for the day. So it was I came hither."

The two young ladies had by now recovered from their fright. The Lady
Anne slyly nudged her cousin with her elbow, and the younger could not
suppress a half-nervous laugh. Myles heard it, and felt his face grow
hotter and redder than ever.

"Nay," said Lady Anne, "I do believe Master Giles--"

"My name be'st Myles," corrected Myles.