the same trysting-place--on the slope beneath Derwent Hill, my lady--
whence I thought, if it were your will and the good knight Sir
Lancelot's, we might go nigher to the sea and the firth, where the
Selby clan have no call, being at deadly feud with the Ridleys. So
if the maiden's tongue goes fast, and the Prioress follows up the
quest with young Selby, they will find nought for their pains.'

'Thou art a good guardian, Hob! Ah! where would my boy be save for
thee? And thou sayest he is even now at the very border of the
forest ground! Sure, there can be no cause that I should not go and
see him. My heart hungers for my children. Oh, let me go with
thee!'

'Sir Lancelot--' began Hob.

'He is away at the Warden's summons. He will scarce be back for a
week or more. I will, I must go with thee, good Hob.'

'Not in your own person, good madam,' stipulated Hob. 'As thou
knowest, there are those in Sir Lancelot's following who might be too
apt to report of secret visits, and that were as ill as the Priory
folk.'

It was then decided that the lady should put on the disguise of a
countrywoman bringing eggs and meat to sell at the castle, and meet
Hob near the postern, whence a path led to Penrith.

Hob, having received a lump of oatcake and a draught of very small
ale, limped out of the court, and, so soon as he could find a
convenient spot behind the gorse bushes, divested himself of his