Your ladyship will forgive my speaking my poor mind--were we not better try to find out the maskers, and again join ourselves with them ?" The Countess shook her head, and her guide proceeded, "Then I see but one other remedy." "Speak out, then," said the lady, not displeased, perhaps, that he should thus offer the advice which she was ashamed to ask; "I believe thee faithful--what wouldst thou counsel ?" "That I should warn Master Tressilian," said Wayland, "that you are in this place.

I am right certain he would get to horse with a few of Lord Sussex's followers, and ensure your personal safety." "And is it to ME you advise," said the Countess, "to put myself under the protection of Sussex, the unworthy rival of the noble Leicester ?" Then, seeing the surprise with which Wayland stared upon her, and afraid of having too strongly intimated her interest in Leicester, she added, "And for Tressilian, it must not be--mention not to him, I charge you, my unhappy name; it would but double MY misfortunes, and involve HIM in dangers beyond the power of rescue." She paused; but when she observed that Wayland continued to look on her with that anxious and uncertain gaze which indicated a doubt whether her brain was settled, she assumed an air of composure, and added, "Do thou but guide me to Kenilworth Castle, good fellow, and thy task is ended, since I will then judge what further is to be done.

Thou hast yet been true to me--here is something that will make thee rich amends." She offered the artist a ring containing a valuable stone.

Wayland looked at it, hesitated a moment, and then returned it.

"Not," he said, "that I am above your kindness, madam, being but a poor fellow, who have been forced, God help me! to live by worse shifts than the bounty of such a person as you.