to this sin, I will fast for my soul's interest. But, good mine

host, I pray you of courtesy give me a cup of fair water; I shall

be much beholden to your courtesy indeed."

"Ye shall have a dispensation, go to!" cried the knight. "Shalt be

well shriven, by my faith! Content you, then, and eat."

But the lad was obstinate, drank a cup of water, and, once more

wrapping himself closely in his mantle, sat in a far corner,

brooding.

In an hour or two, there rose a stir in the village of sentries

challenging and the clatter of arms and horses; and then a troop

drew up by the inn door, and Richard Shelton, splashed with mud,

presented himself upon the threshold.

"Save you, Sir Daniel," he said.

"How! Dickie Shelton!" cried the knight; and at the mention of

Dick's name the other lad looked curiously across. "What maketh

Bennet Hatch?"

"Please you, sir knight, to take cognisance of this packet from Sir

Oliver, wherein are all things fully stated," answered Richard,

presenting the priest's letter. "And please you farther, ye were

best make all speed to Risingham; for on the way hither we

encountered one riding furiously with letters, and by his report,

my Lord of Risingham was sore bested, and lacked exceedingly your

presence."

"How say you? Sore bested?" returned the knight. "Nay, then, we

will make speed sitting down, good Richard. As the world goes in

this poor realm of England, he that rides softliest rides surest.

Delay, they say, begetteth peril; but it is rather this itch of

doing that undoes men; mark it, Dick. But let me see, first, what

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