Part 42 (1/2)

When he rose to his feet, he found another man upon his knees but a few steps behind him, and, still with uncovered head, he waited until that prayer also should be over It took long; the man, with his head bowed and his face covered with his hands, prayed like one in a great disorder or distress of ed that he was no other than the archer who had laid Sir Daniel low

At length he, also, rose, and showed the countenance of Ellis Duckworth

”Richard,” he said, very gravely, ”I heard you Ye took the better part and pardoned; I took the worse, and there lies the clay ofhim by the hand

”Sir,” said Richard, ”I will pray for you, indeed; though how I e, and find it now of such a sorry flavour, bethink ye, were it not well to pardon others? Hatch--he is dead, poor shreould have spared a better; and for Sir Daniel, here lies his body But for the priest, if I o”

A flash came into the eyes of Ellis Duckworth

”Nay,” he said, ”the devil is still strong within me But be at rest; the Black Arrow flieth nevermore--the fellowshi+p is broken They that still live shall coood tio where your better fortune calls you, and think no more of Ellis”

CHAPTER VIII--CONCLUSION

About nine in thehis ward, once more dressed as befitted her sex, and followed by Alicia Risingham, to the church of Holywood, when Richard Crookback, his brow already heavy with cares, crossed their path and paused

”Is this the maid?” he asked; and when Lord Foxham had replied in the affirmative, ”Minion,” he added, ”hold up your face until I see its favour”

He looked upon her sourly for a little

”Ye are fair,” he said at last, ”and, as they tell e, as becae?”

”My lord duke,” replied Joanna, ”race, I had rather ith Sir Richard”

”How so?” he asked, harshly ”Marry but the man I name to you, and he shall be ht For Sir Richard, let me tell you plainly, he will die Sir Richard”

”I ask no more of Heaven, my lord, than but to die Sir Richard's wife,”

returned Joanna

”Look ye at that,to Lord Foxhaood services I gave hirace of an old, drunken shi+pman I did warn him freely, but he was stout in his besottedness 'Here dieth your favour,' said I; and he, my lord, with a most assured impertinence, 'Mine be the loss,' quoth he It shall be so, by the rood!”

”Said he so?” cried Alicia ”Then well said, lion-driver!”