up and looked about him with a scare.

"Hither," said Sir Daniel; and as the other rose at his command and

came slowly towards him, he leaned back and laughed outright. "By

the rood!" he cried, "a sturdy boy!"

The lad flushed crimson with anger, and darted a look of hate out

of his dark eyes. Now that he was on his legs, it was more

difficult to make certain of his age. His face looked somewhat

older in expression, but it was as smooth as a young child's; and

in bone and body he was unusually slender, and somewhat awkward of

gait.

"Ye have called me, Sir Daniel," he said. "Was it to laugh at my

poor plight?"

"Nay, now, let laugh," said the knight. "Good shrew, let laugh, I

pray you. An ye could see yourself, I warrant ye would laugh the

first."

"Well," cried the lad, flushing, "ye shall answer this when ye

answer for the other. Laugh while yet ye may!"

"Nay, now, good cousin," replied Sir Daniel, with some earnestness,

"think not that I mock at you, except in mirth, as between kinsfolk

and singular friends. I will make you a marriage of a thousand

pounds, go to! and cherish you exceedingly. I took you, indeed,

roughly, as the time demanded; but from henceforth I shall

ungrudgingly maintain and cheerfully serve you. Ye shall be Mrs.

Shelton--Lady Shelton, by my troth! for the lad promiseth bravely.

Tut! ye will not shy for honest laughter; it purgeth melancholy.

They are no rogues who laugh, good cousin. Good mine host, lay me

a meal now for my cousin, Master John. Sit ye down, sweetheart,

and eat."

"Nay," said Master John, "I will break no bread. Since ye force me

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