him from what peril thou mayest, and to defend him in what thou canst
not ward off. Thou must serve him as thou wouldst Josceline, on pain of
my displeasure."

"I did dream of serpents," said Humphrey, slowly, "and they foretell a
prison. It were better for thee to abide here, for, perchance, it is
not to foretell the fate of Robert Sadler but the fate of Josceline
that the dream was sent."

"Abide here, and let Robert Sadler take my son? Nay, good Humphrey, we
must away. Hugo and thou to-morrow morn, Josceline and I to-morrow
night." And then Humphrey was dismissed with the command, "Send Hugo to
me."

Almost immediately the boy appeared, and Lady De Aldithely met him with
a smile. "I send thee forth to-morrow morn," she said, "and Humphrey
will go with thee--if thou be still of a mind to go."

"I am still of a mind to go, Lady De Aldithely," was the answer.

"Thou knowest the danger to thyself," she said. "And 'twere not to save
my only son, I could not let thee take such peril. Cross thou to
France, I charge thee, and take this favor to my husband. Tell him,
because thou wouldst do knightly service for me and mine, I give it
thee. Thou wilt not go unrewarded." And she held out a knot of blue
ribbon.

The boy looked from it to her green robe, and back again. Lady De
Aldithely saw the look. "Green is not my color, Hugo," she said. "It is
but the fashion of the time." Suddenly she drew back her hand and laid