Flat-Nose flung down his sword and raised his visor.

“I accept the offer, Sir Knight,” he said.  “I will risk the lady’s judgment.  Knock upon the door in the farthest corner, and she, herself, will open to you—­there is no lock upon it, save that she has inside.”

“Will you come with me, Sir John?” De Lacy called, as Dauvrey made haste to unlace his lord’s helmet and lift it off.

De Bury shook his head.  “Nay, lad, it is your right first.  Later will I join you and gladly.”

Without further urging Aymer hurried down the corridor and tapped lightly at the door, beyond which, if Flat-Nose spoke truly, he would find his lost betrothed.  No answer came, and he rapped again and louder.  But within was silence and he waited vainly for response.  Then with rising suspicion that he had been tricked by Darby’s minion, he struck the panel sharply and with force—­and the door swung back until it was open wide.

For a moment he hesitated; but when another knock brought no reply, he ventured across the threshold and into the room a little way.  Then as his eyes chanced upon a hat with long plumes, lying on a table, and beside it a veil and a woman’s gauntlets, he was seized with sudden fright and turned to flee.

But on the instant, from behind, two arms were flung about his neck and a soft cheek was pressed against his own, and a voice, than which to him the world contained none sweeter, whispered in his ear: 

“Aymer, my lord!”

XXV

A PAGE FROM THE PAST

With a cry of deepest gladness he whirled and caught his lost love to him, and kissed her brow and ruddy hair, and his voice broke and his eyes dimmed as he repeated many times: 

“Beatrix! . . .  Beatrix! . . .  Thank God!”

And so for a space they stood.  Then of a sudden he held her gently off at arm’s length.

“Are you glad to see me, sweetheart?” he asked.

“And need I tell you that, dear?” smiling archly.

“At least you might tell me why my knocks were so ignored,” he said, smiling back.

“Perchance, sir, I was curious to know how long you would be content to knock and wait.”

“You knew it was I?”

She glanced up with a merry sparkle in her grey eyes.

“Stupid!—­do you think the door would have been unbolted to another?”. . .  Then with a woman’s quick mind:  “And dear Sir John!  It is sweet to see that he has his strength again.”

“See?  When did you see Sir John?”

She led him to the window and drew aside the curtain.

“I saw everything, my lord!” she cried, with a blithesome laugh.  “Everything from when you slew the odious Abbot until the fight ended on the stairs; and you can never know, dear, the joy with which I recognized the Stag upon your jupon.”

“Surely you did not see the fight in the hall!” he exclaimed.