the knot against her sleeve. "See how the colors war," she said. "But
not more than truth and constancy with the wickedness of this most
wicked reign." Then she held out the knot of blue to him again.
"Receive it, dear lad," she said. "Whatever knightly service it is
thine to render after thou hast taken thy vow, thou canst render none
greater than thou dost now render to Matilda De Aldithely."

"And what service is that?" inquired Josceline as he came smiling into
the room. "And what solemn manner is this, my mother? There must be
great deeds afoot to warrant it." And he glanced from one to the other.

"Thou hast well come, my son," returned his mother, gravely. "I would
this moment have sent to summon thee. Thou and I must away to-morrow
night to wander through the forest of Galtus and on into the wilds of
Scotland, where we may, perchance, find safety."

At this Josceline stared in astonishment. "We be safe here in the
castle," he said at length.

"Nay, my son," returned his mother. "Here be we not safe. I had told
thee before of the treachery of Robert Sadler but for thy hasty,
impetuous nature which, by knowing, would have marred my plans. Thou
wouldst have dealt with him according to his deserts--"

"Ay, that would I," interrupted Josceline, "if he be a traitor. And
that will I when he returneth."

Lady De Aldithely looked at him sadly. "We be in the midst of grave
perils, my son," she said. "Control thyself. It is not always safe to
deal with traitors according to their deserts, and never was it less