CHAPTER XVIII.
Now rede me, rede me, brother dear, Throughout Merry England, Where will I find a messenger, Betwixt us two to send.
-- BALLAD OF KING ESTMERE.
Julian's first encounter, after re-entering the Castle, was with its young Lord, who received him with his usual kindness and lightness of humour.
"Thrice welcome, Sir Knight of Dames," said the Earl; "here you rove gallantly, and at free will, through our dominions, fulfilling of appointments, and achieving amorous adventures; while we are condemned to sit in our royal halls, as dull and as immovable as if our Majesty was carved on the stern of some Manx smuggling dogger, and christened the King Arthur of Ramsey." "Nay, in that case you would take the sea," said Julian, "and so enjoy travel and adventure enough." "Oh, but suppose me wind-bound, or detained in harbour by a revenue pink, or ashore, if you like it, and lying high and dry upon the sand.
Imagine the royal image in the dullest of all predicaments, and you have not equalled mine." "I am happy to hear, at least, that you have had no disagreeable employment," said Julian; "the morning's alarm has blown over, I suppose ?" "In faith it has, Julian; and our close inquiries cannot find any cause for the apprehended insurrection.

That Bridgenorth is in the island seems certain; but private affairs of consequence are alleged as the cause of his visit; and I am not desirous to have him arrested unless I could prove some malpractices against him and his companions.

In fact, it would seem we had taken the alarm too soon.

My mother speaks of consulting you on the subject, Julian; and I will not anticipate her solemn communication.

It will be partly apologetical, I suppose; for we begin to think our retreat rather unroyal, and that, like the wicked, we have fled when no man pursued.