"And honor," said she seriously, as she took the kerchief, "is dearer far than all our quarterings… What brings you back to Pontefract?"
"You," said De Lacy, smilingly.
"Of course! but what else?—be serious."
"I am serious. But for you I would be riding fast and hard after the Duke. I stopped at Pontefract for two purposes; of which, one was to deliver to you a message from that gallant Knight, Sir John de Bury."
"My uncle!" she exclaimed. "He is in Scotland."
De Lacy shook his head. "He is now at Craigston Castle, whence I have just come, and bring you his loving greetings."
"The dear old man! How is he?"
"As strong as an oak, save for a slight wound."
"Wounded! How—where?" she demanded, with sharp concern.
"Only a sword thrust in the thigh, got in a skirmish with some brigands about this hour yesterday," said De Lacy; and told her the story of the fray in detail.