"Gabrielle."
How she blushed as he said it very slowly, dwelling tenderly on each syllable.
But it was vain to shake her curls, for she had given him permission.
"I must be returning to the Hall," she said primly, "or my brother and his friends will be there before me."
"And you are alone?"
A swift pity stirred him. Poor little child! How sorely she must need a protector.
But she drew herself up with quaint pride.
"There is Nurse Bond," she replied. "I sup with her when Morry's friends are not to my liking."
He held soft little fingers in both his strong hands, little guessing how the power in them comforted her.
"You call me your knight," said he. "Pray God I may ever be your true and faithful one; that you will let me be such."