Make but one step toward me and Sir George Vernon will be a dead man." Guild and the servant halted instantly.
"What are your terms ?" cried Guild, speaking with the haste which he well knew was necessary if he would save his master's life.
"My terms are easy," answered John.

"All I ask is that you allow me to depart in peace.

I am here on no harmful errand, and I demand that I may depart and that I be not followed nor spied upon by any one." "You may depart in peace," said Guild.

"No one will follow you; no one will spy upon you.

To this I pledge my knightly word in the name of Christ my Saviour." John at once took his way unmolested up the hill and rode home with his heart full of fear lest his tryst with Dorothy had been discovered.
Guild and the servant assisted Sir George to rise, and the three started down the hill toward the stile where Dorothy was standing.