fair maiden," he concluded, raising his voice, "and Heaven send
thee dreams as peaceful as thy waking thoughts. I go to watch thy
slumbers, and woe with him that shall intrude on them!"

"Nay, good and brave Henry, whose warm heart is at such variance
with thy reckless hand, thrust thyself into no farther quarrels
tonight; but take the kindest thanks, and with these, try to assume
the peaceful thoughts which you assign to me. Tomorrow we will
meet, that I may assure you of my gratitude. Farewell."

"And farewell, lady and light of my heart!" said the armourer,
and, descending the stair which led to Catharine's apartment, was
about to sally forth into the street, when the glover caught him
by the arm.

"I shall like the ruffle of tonight," said he, "better than I
ever thought to do the clashing of steel, if it brings my daughter
to her senses, Harry, and teaches her what thou art worth. By St.
Macgrider! I even love these roysterers, and am sorry for that poor
lover who will never wear left handed chevron again. Ay! he has
lost that which he will miss all the days of his life, especially
when he goes to pull on his gloves; ay, he will pay but half a fee
to my craft in future. Nay, not a step from this house tonight,"
he continued "Thou dost not leave us, I promise thee, my son."

"I do not mean it. But I will, with your permission, watch in the
street. The attack may be renewed."

"And if it be," said Simon, "thou wilt have better access to drive
them back, having the vantage of the house. It is the way of fighting