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At peep of day the trureat camp all astir about him; the smoke of a hundred watch-fires rose up into the stilly air of rant uard relieved guard and the neaked companies mustered under arreith a coof ar where chargers and pack-horses were picketed, line upon line--goodly beasts that stamped and snorted and whinnied joyously--and everywhere was noise and cheer of talk and laughter; yet everywhere was s, wherefore Beltane's very heart sang within his keen-eyed and watchful, he was presently aware of Sir Benedict and Black Roger alked together within a distant alley; and as they passed theer talked aht soleer, and oft to clap hand to Roger's brawny back; and sohed he blithe and joyous and sorizzled head a-droop, until a turn in the glade hid therance of the fires rose other scentsfrom his meditations Beltane turned hioodly cooking pot seethed and bubbled invitingly But even now a hand slipped within his ar him thus, Sir Benedict viewed him joyful-eyed and smiled on hi his head, "O Beltane, thou wilt mind how upon a tireen in Mortain, I did warn thee that she had red hair and was like to prove a spit-fire, therefore!"

Now hereupon my Beltane must needs catch his breath and flush to the ears of him, and therewith strive to look at his ease, like the very youth he was

"How, er babbled to thee?"

"Babbled?" quoth Sir Benedict, shaking his head, "nay, Roger is no babbler of secret matters, for many do ken of thy love, Beltane--and I am thy friend, so is thy happiness my happiness Thus do I say God and the sweet saints bless thee in thy love, dear lad, for a right noble lady is Helen the Beautiful and reat love, by her proved faithfulness shalt thou yet win to happiness--"