It may burst, and spoil my good looks, and so ruin my fortunes with the damsels.

But here is Jeff Gellibronde, who, having no beauty to lose, and being, moreover, afraid of nothing, will pick it up for you." "Speak for yourself, Olin," rejoined Gellibronde, in a surly tone.

"I have no more fancy for a shattered limb, or a scorched face, than my neighbours." "Dolts!" cried the stranger, who had listened to these observations with angry impatience, "if you will not convey my packet, which has nothing more dangerous about it than an ordinary letter, to your mistress, at least acquaint her that Mr.Robert Catesby, of Ashby St.Legers, is without, and craves an instant speech with her." "Mr.Catesby!" exclaimed the steward, in astonishment.

"If it be indeed your worship, why did you not declare yourself at once ?" "I may have as good reason for caution as yourself, Master Heydocke," returned Catesby, laughing.
"True," rejoined the steward; "but, methinks it is somewhat strange to find your worship here, when I am aware that my master expected to meet you, and certain other honourable gentlemen that you wot of, at a place in a clean opposite direction, Holywell, in Flintshire." "The cause of my presence, since you desire to be certified of the matter, is simply this," replied Catesby, urging his steed towards the edge of the moat, while the steward advanced to meet him on the opposite bank, so that a few yards only lay between them; "I came round by Manchester," he continued, in a lower tone, "to see if any assistance could be rendered to the unfortunate fathers Woodroofe and Forshawe; but found on my arrival this morning that I was too late, as they had just been executed." "Heaven have mercy on their souls!" ejaculated Heydocke, shuddering, and crossing himself.

"Yours was a pious mission, Mr.Catesby.Would it had been availing!" "I would so, too, with all my soul!" rejoined the other, fervently; "but fate ordained it otherwise.