ROAD TO

he had just heard that she forgot all about her character as page and her dut

ncis. Attend t

nce upon her as she arose in ob

d. "Did he hear our

ld stake mine honor upon his silen

ted to her cheeks at the intent gaze of t

49 heard shall pass my lips. Not ev

Babington. "Older and wiser men than

d. "Let us hope that the boy will not be tried by so grievo

er. "A little backward, forsooth, but wit

shed an arch look at her father. Lord Stafford smiled slightly, but his countenance soon became overcas

thou dost entertain a thought of such rash emprises as thy words suggest

rongs are before me. My lord, she is a prisoner; made to submit to privations that even the basest criminals do not undergo. Coul

d," exclaimed Lord St

shed too long in her chains. I would d

England's crown, Anthony. Yet I fear that thou dost meditate wrong to

t a woman, or what n

d not approve

ate her 51 rescue. The softness of

ot pledged mine honor to take these letters to Mary I would have naught to do with the matter. Thou hast raised grave doubts as to the nature of this undertaking. I fear for thee, for myself and family, and most

carry thee farther than the issue

foreboding," and Lord Stafford embraced him. "Would that

stress upon the matter," and the youn

n the girl would have ridden behind him, he motioned her silently to come beside h

he old Roman road to Bath, "I have done ill in embarking upon this emprise, and m

what befall thou hast deemed me worthy to share thy danger, and I will

eart is heavy, though I trow such attempt will not be made. Anthony but rav

o Mary that an effort will be made to release her. Surely it is

erned in aught but in bearing good news; therefore will

, and tried to enter into the enjoyment of his daughter who, with the e

earned to know her father better than she had ever known him; at others, in long lapses of silence the more eloquent that there was no conversation, and in stopping fo

sts which placed the crown upon the head of Edward the Fourth; Worcester, with its glorious cathedral, filled her with delight. The beauty of the diversified scenery, consisting of hill, vale, forest and river, the numerous

el. Behold, on yon mount, called 'Castle Hill,' the place where stood a noble castle built by William the Conqueror. He conferred i

tly though her drooping body spoke of the fatigue by which she was almost overcome. "Yet right g

ave that of rest. Let the morrow bring what it will

animal renewed his speed, and they we