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 father for certain monies, the price of wool the growth of Cedric's flocks, and from him I learned that Cedric and Athelstane of Conningsburgh had left the Prince's lodging in high displeasure, and were about to set forth on their return homeward."

"Went any lady with them to the banquet?" said Wilfrid.

"The Lady Rowena," said Rebecca, answering the question with more precision than it had been asked—"The Lady Rowena went not to the Prince's feast, and, as the steward reported to us, she is now on her journey back to Rotherwood, with her guardian Cedric. And touching your faithful squire Gurth——"

"Ha!" exclaimed the knight, "knowest thou his name?—But thou dost," he immediately added, "and well thou may'st, for it was from thy hand, and, as I think, from thine own generosity of spirit, that he received but yesterday an hundred zecchins."

"Speak not of that," said Rebecca, blushing deeply; "I see how easily it is for the tongue to betray what the heart would blithely conceal."