Whatever the cause was, it saved the maiden much trouble during the journey; for the Captain was kept thereby at arm's length and never permitted to come near.

And, to add to her comfort, she had espied among the men who formed the escort the same English fellow who had escorted her from Dunluce to Toome, and who, it was clear, was still true to his trust.
But as they neared London, my Lady, feeling in need of some little pomp to make good her entry, took the Captain back once more into favour; and with that the maiden's troubles began again.

For the Captain bargained, as a price of his good-will, that he should wed the maiden so soon as they reached town.

To this my Lady seemed to consent, and told her step-daughter, sternly enough, to prepare herself for what was no longer to be avoided.
Thus made desperate, on a certain morning about a day's ride from London, the maiden made some pretence of her saddle being broken, and beckoned to the English fellow to come and attend to it.

But instead of him, for his head was turned, came Tom Price the Captain's sergeant.
And while he made good the straps she took heart of grace and begged him, for pity's sake, help her, and slipped into his hand some gold pieces.