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94 young deer-hound, sprang to her aid and seized her by the other arm, raising his iron-shod staff as he did so.

'You may say what you will to me,' he said between his clenched teeth—'it may be no better than I deserve; but, brother or no, I swear by my hopes of salvation that I will break your arm if you do not leave hold of the maid.'

There was a ring in his voice and a flash in his eyes which promised that the blow would follow quick at the heels of the word. For a moment the blood of the long line of hot-headed thanes was too strong for the soft whisperings of the doctrine of meekness and mercy. He was conscious of a fierce wild thrill through his nerves and a throb of mad gladness at his heart, as his real human self burst for an instant the bonds of custom and of teaching which had held it so long. The Socman sprang back, looking to left and to right for some stick or stone which might serve him for weapon; but, finding none, he turned and ran at the top of his speed for the house, blowing the while upon a shrill whistle.

'Come!' gasped the woman. 'Fly, friend, ere he come back.'

'Nay, let him come!' cried Alleyne. 'I shall not budge a foot for him or his dogs.'

'Come, come!' she cried, tugging at his arm. 'I know the man: he will kill you. Come, for the Virgin's sake, or for my sake, for I cannot go and leave you here.'

'Come, then,' said he; and they ran together to the cover of the woods. As they gained the edge of the brushwood, Alleyne, looking back, saw his brother come running out of the house again, with the sun gleaming upon his hair and his beard. He held something which flashed in his right hand, and he stooped at the threshold to unloose the black hound.

'This way ' the woman whispered, in a low eager voice. 'Through the bushes to that forked ash. Do not heed me: I can run as fast as you, I trow. Now into the stream—right in, over ankles, to throw the dog off, though I think it is but a