God of my fathers, give us one month more of peace and safety, and then, because I have denied Thee openly, take my life in payment if Thou wilt." Before John Castell went to bed Peter was already awake--indeed, he had slept but little that night.

How could he sleep whose fortunes had changed thus wondrously between sun set and rise?
Yesterday he was but a merchant's assistant--a poor trade for one who had been trained to arms, and borne them bravely.

To-day he was a gentleman again, owner of the broad lands where he was bred, and that had been his forefathers' for many a generation.

Yesterday he was a lover without hope, for in himself he had never believed that the rich John Castell would suffer him, a landless man, to pay court to his daughter, one of the loveliest and wealthiest maids in London.

He had asked his leave in past days, and been refused, as he had expected that he would be refused, and thenceforward, being on his honour as it were, he had said no tender word to Margaret, nor pressed her hand, nor even looked into her eyes and sighed.