"You speak enigmas, boy," said the other, sharply; "tell me quickly to
whom, and what you allude?"

"Go, ask my lady," said the page, with provoking calmness; "I may not
betray the secrets of her household."

"You!" said the other, scornfully; "a pretty stripling, truly, to
receive the confidence of your lady."

"If not my lady's," replied the page, "perhaps her young companion has
less discretion in her choice of confidants."

"Ha!" said the stranger, starting, and changing colour, in spite of his
tawny disguise; "what say you of _her_? speak; and speak truly, for I
shall soon know if thou art false, from her own lips."

"_Her_ lips will never contradict _my_ words," returned the boy; "but
go, take the pass-word, enter the fort, and see--you will not find her
there."

"Not find her there?" he repeated in astonishment, and with a bewildered
air; then suddenly grasping the page's arm, he said, in no gentle tone,

"Now, by my faith, boy, you test my patience beyond endurance; if I
thought you were deceiving me"--

He stopped abruptly, and withdrew his hand, as a laugh, which he could
no longer repress, burst from the lips of Hector, and at the same
instant the heavy cloak fell from his shoulders to the ground.