armourer, "unless thou stand still as a true prisoner."

"What is the matter, my son Harry?" said Simon, who now appeared
at the window. "I hear thy voice in another tone than I expected.
What is all this noise; and why are the neighbours gathering to
the affray?"

"There have been a proper set of limmers about to scale your
windows, father Simon; but I am like to prove godfather to one of
them, whom I hold here, as fast as ever vice held iron."

"Hear me, Simon Glover," said the prisoner; "let me but speak one
word with you in private, and rescue me from the gripe of this iron
fisted and leaden pated clown, and I will show thee that no harm
was designed to thee or thine, and, moreover, tell thee what will
much advantage thee."

"I should know that voice," said Simon Glover, who now came to the
door with a dark lantern in his hand. "Son Smith, let this young
man speak with me. There is no danger in him, I promise you. Stay
but an instant where you are, and let no one enter the house, either
to attack or defend. I will be answerable that this galliard meant
but some St. Valentine's jest."

So saying, the old man pulled in the prisoner and shut the door,
leaving Henry a little surprised at the unexpected light in which
his father-in-law had viewed the affray.

"A jest!" he said; "it might have been a strange jest, if they had
got into the maiden's sleeping room! And they would have done so,