“I gat this made of a smith, Custance, a year gone. ’Tis a key for my strong-room at Langley, the which was lost with other my baggage fording the Thames, and I took the mould of the lock in wax, and gave it unto the smith.”
He looked in her face, pausing a little between the sentences, to make sure that she understood him; and he saw by her eyes that she did. The very peril and uncertainty involved in such an adventure gave it a charm for her.
“When, Ned?”
“When I send word.”
“Very well. I will be ready.”
Before Edward could reply, Bertram Lyngern’s horn sounded through the forest, saying distinctly to all who heard it, “Time to go home!” The three rose and walked towards the trysting-place, both Constance and Maude possessed of some ideas which had never presented themselves to them before.
Bertram and Maude rode back as they had come. Maude was very silent, which was no wonder; and so, for ten minutes, was Bertram. Then he began:—
“How liked you this forest life, Mistress Maude?”
“Well, Master Lyngern, and I thank you,” said she absently.
“And to-morrow is a week our Lady’s Grace shall wed?”