"I believe not your tale.

You sought before, in person, to carry me off, but failed, and you have now employed other means to do so.

The tale of your conduct to Dame Editha has reached my ears, and I hold you a foresworn knight and a dishonoured man, and as such I would rather die than become your wife, although as yet I am but a child, and have no need to talk of weddings for years to come." "We need not parley here," the knight said coldly.

"We shall have plenty of time when at my castle." The litter was now lifted, placed between two horses, and proceeded rapidly on its journey.

Although the hope was but faint, yet until the gates of the castle closed upon them the Lady Margaret still hoped that rescue might reach her.