Hark ye, lad Alleyne, to what I never told man or woman yet.

I love the fair Lady Maude, and would give the last drop of my heart's blood to serve her." He spoke with a gasping voice, and his face flushed crimson in the moonlight.
Alleyne said nothing, but his heart seemed to turn to a lump of ice in his bosom.
"My father has broad acres," the other continued, "from Fareham Creek to the slope of the Portsdown Hill.

There is filling of granges, hewing of wood, malting of grain, and herding of sheep as much as heart could wish, and I the only son.

Sure am I that Sir Nigel would be blithe at such a match." "But how of the lady ?" asked Alleyne, with dry lips.
"Ah, lad, there lies my trouble.

It is a toss of the head and a droop of the eyes if I say one word of what is in my mind.