"The parole is lifted," she said. "Will you put me up?"
With his sound arm he swung her into saddle—and with Rollo in advance and him beside her they went slowly back to Windsor. And now he did the talking—telling first the story of the outlaws.
When the towers of the huge castle showed afar through the trees, De Lacy halted.
"Would you deem me rude if I went no further with you?" he asked.
She smiled kindly. "On the contrary, I would deem you very wise."
"I care not to proclaim my adventure with the outlaws. It would make me a merry jest in the hall."
"I understand—and yet, wounded and without bonnet or doublet, you will not pass unnoted; an explanation will be obligatory."
"The wound is easy," he said; "my own dagger made it, you remember—but the doublet and bonnet, particularly the doublet, are bothersome."
She looked at him with quick decision.
"I will manage that," she said; "your squire shall bring both to you here."