"'Even so, madam,' replied the knight, bowing profoundly."
Here Eyebright paused for a large bite of bread and butter.
"Go on—please go on," pleaded Bessie, whose mouth happened to be empty just then.
Mumble, mumble,—"the Lady Jane sank back on her couch"—resumed Eyebright, speaking rather thickly by reason of the bread and butter. "She was very pale, and one tear ran slowly down her pearly cheek.
"'What says my lord?' she faintly uttered.
"'He bids me to tell you to hope on, hope ever,' cried the knight; 'the jailer's daughter has promised to steal her father's keys to-night, unbar his door, and let him escape.'
"'Can this be true?' cried Margaret—that's you, you know, Bessie—be ready to catch me. 'Help! my lady is about to faint with joy.'"
Here Eyebright sank on the grass, while Bessie made a dash, and raised her head.
"'Is it? Can it be—true?' murmured the Lady Jane,"—her languid hand meanwhile stealing into the dinner-pail, and producing therefrom a big red apple.
"'It is true—the blessed news is indeed true,' cried the true-hearted Margaret.