"Hush!" broke in the youth with uplifted hand, as a page of about his
own age came daintily into the hall, gathering his green robe about
him as if he disdained the neighbourhood, and holding his head high
under his jaunty tall feathered cap.

"Outlaws!" he said, speaking English, but with a strong foreign
accent, and as if it were a great condescension, "the gracious
Princess summons you to her presence. Follow me!"

The colour rushed to the boy's temples, and a retort was on his lips,
but he struggled to withhold it; and likewise speaking English, said,
"I would we could have some water, and make ourselves meeter for her
presence."

"Scarce worth the pains," returned the page. "As if thou couldst
ever be meet for her presence! She had rather be rid of thee
promptly, than wait to be regaled with thy May-day braveries--honest
lad!"

Again the answer was only restrained with exceeding difficulty; and
there was a scornful smile on the young prisoner's cheek, that caused
the page to exclaim angrily, "What means that insolence, malapert
boy?"

But there was no time for further strife; for the door was pushed
open, and the Prince's voice called, "Hamlyn de Valence, why tarry
the prisoners?"

"Only, Sir," returned Hamlyn, "that this young robber is offended
that he hath not time to deck himself out in his last stolen gold