Edgar arrived at the castle of the De Courcys a few minutes before ten.
Some horses were already standing at the door. He did not go in, deeming
that he might be in the way, but sent in word to Lady De Courcy that he
was there and at her service. In a few minutes she came out, accompanied
by her son and Aline.

"I am glad to have so good an escort, Master Ormskirk," she said, smiling;
"for after what Sir Ralph told me I feel that I can safely entrust myself
to your care."

"I will assuredly do my best, lady," he said, "but I trust that there will
be no occasion to draw a sword. I deem that most of those who make the
roads unsafe will have gone off to join the Tyler and his band, thinking
that opportunities for plunder are sure to present themselves; but, at any
rate, as you take, I see, two men-at-arms with you, it is unlikely that
anyone will venture to molest us."

He assisted Lady De Courcy and her daughter to their saddles, and the
party soon rode off, followed by the two men-at-arms.

"Do you purpose to make the journey in a single day?" Edgar asked.

"Assuredly. Aline and I are both accustomed to ride on horseback, and the
journey is not too far to be done before the evening falls, especially as
it will be for one day's journey only; the roads are good, the day fine,
and there will be no occasion to ride at speed. Why, it is but some
seventeen or eighteen miles, and you must think but poorly of our
horsemanship if you think we cannot traverse such a distance."

So they travelled on, the horses sometimes going at an amble, sometimes