"Sir Thomas is still willing to refer the case to my arbitrament, I believe, sir?" demanded Sir Ralph, uneasily.
"He was so, Sir Ralph," rejoined Potts, "unless the assaults and batteries, with intent to do him grievous corporeal hurt, which he hath sustained from your relatives, have induced a change of mind in him. But as I premised, Sir Ralph, I am a man of peace, and willing to intermediate."
"Provided you get your fee, master lawyer," observed Nicholas, sarcastically.
"Certainly, I object not to the quiddam honorarium, Master Nicholas," rejoined Potts; "and if my client hath the quid pro quo, and gaineth his point, he cannot complain.—But what is this? Some fresh disturbance!"
"Something hath happened to the May Queen," cried Nicholas.
"I trust not," said Sir Ralph, with real concern. "Ha! she has fainted. They are bringing her this way. Poor maid! what can have occasioned this sudden seizure?"
"I think I could give a guess," muttered Nicholas. "Better remove her to the Abbey," he added aloud to the knight.
"You are right," said Sir Ralph. "Our cousin Dick is near her, I observe. He shall see her conveyed there at once."
At this moment Lady Assheton and Mrs. Nutter, with some of the other ladies, came up.
"Just in time, Nell," cried the knight. "Have you your smelling-bottle about you? The May Queen has fainted."