Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/304

276 the siege in her joy over the safety of Lady Amabel, and in the promise her words conveyed. But when Edgar went to the Friar's door and was invited to enter, he was so amazed by the Friar's occupation that he almost forgot to give the news he carried. Friar, Bacon, seated at his little table or desk pushed near to the window, seemed to be engaged in some sort of illumination. He had before him a box of colors, some that he had borrowed of Lady Mortimer, and was making a small picture upon glass, correcting it every now and then as he held it up to the window.

Of all the Friar's strange occupations, this certainly seemed to Edgar the strangest. The Friar put down his brush as Edgar entered, and rising asked: "What is it? Any new attack threatened? I thought there was time to complete a little piece of work I had in mind."

"No; nothing from the Count," Edgar answered, "but I have had news from the Lady Amabel. A blunt arrow shot upward from the river side of the castle brought word that she was safe, and better yet, that she is the bearer of good news. I suppose she has secured help from the Earl of Huntingdon."

"When will she herself return?" the Friar asked, seating himself at his work again when he saw Edgar had done so, and picking up his brush.