"He is thy counterpart, my son, and he will personate thee," said Lady
De Aldithely. "He setteth out to-morrow morn. The king's spies will
pursue him, and thus we shall be able to flee unseen."

"And thou hast planned all this without a word to me?" cried Josceline,
angrily. "But for my pledged word I would not stir. Nay, not even if I
knew Robert Sadler would give me up to the king's messengers."

Lady De Aldithely gave Hugo a sign to leave the room. When he was gone
she herself withdrew, and Josceline was left alone in the ladies'
bower, where he stamped about in great irritation for a while. But he
could not retain his anger long. Insensibly it faded away, and he found
visions of wood and wild taking its place.

Meanwhile Lady De Aldithely had gone to the castle hall, when she sent
a summons to William Lorimer to attend her there. To him, when he
arrived, she unfolded Robert Sadler's treachery and her own meditated
flight with her son.

"Thee," she said, "I leave in charge of these bare walls to deal with
Robert Sadler on his return. Whatever happeneth I hold thee blameless.
Do as seemeth thee best, and when thou art through here, repair with
the others I leave behind, to my lord in France. And if thou shouldst
ever find Hugo to be in need, what thou doest for him thou doest for my
lord and me."

The man-at-arms bowed low. "I will deal with Robert Sadler as I may,"
he answered. "Only do thou leave me the postern key. As for Hugo, I
will not fail him if ever in my presence or hearing he hath need."