I say this not without regret, as I would fain keep you over our feast today; but--" The comrades exchanged glances, and spoke in one breath: "We understand: you have spoken kindly and well," they said.

"If you can have the horses in readiness, we will ride off with the first streak of dawn.

It will be best so for all." And though Joan Devenish and Will Ives were made man and wife that very morning, Paul and the prince were not there to grace the ceremony, but were far on their way to London..