Ralph tried to persuade him to wait until they had formed a litter of boughs, but Walter would not allow it.
"I would not tarry an instant," he said, "for Edith will be full of anxiety until I return.

Why, Ralph, do you think that I am a baby?
Why, you yourself were but this morning unable to walk across the room, and here you have been galloping and fighting on my behalf." "In faith," Ralph said, smiling, "until now I had forgotten that I had been ill." "You have saved my life, Ralph, you and my friends here, whom I thank with all my heart for what they have done.

I will speak more to them another time, now I must ride home with all speed." Walter now mounted; Ralph took his place on one side of him, and one of his tenants on the other, lest he should be seized with faintness; then at a hand-gallop they started back for the castle.

Several women of the village had, when they left, hurried up to the castle.

They found Edith lying insensible by the rope of the alarm-bell, having fainted when she had accomplished her object.