Snatchingtheswordfromthebodyofhisdeadantagonist，NormanofTornrushedfromthetowerroom。
AsJohndeFulm，EarlofBuckingham，laidhisvandalhandsuponJoandeTany，sheturneduponhimlikeatigress。Blowafterblowsheraineduponhisheadandfaceuntil，inmortificationandrage，hestruckherfulluponthemouthwithhisclenchedfist；buteventhisdidnotsubdueherand，witheverweakeningstrength，shecontinuedtostrikehim。AndthenthegreatroyalistEarl，thechosenfriendoftheKing，tookthefairwhitethroatbetweenhisgreatfingers，andthelustofbloodsupplantedthelustoflove，forhewouldhavekilledherinhisrage。
ItwasuponthisscenethattheOutlawofTornburstwithnakedsword。
Theywereatthefarendoftheapartment，andhiscryofangeratthesightcausedtheEarltodrophisprey，andturnwithdrawnswordtomeethim。
Therewerenowords，fortherewasnoneedofwordshere。Thetwomenwereuponeachother，andfightingtothedeath，beforethegirlhadregainedherfeet。ItwouldhavebeenshortshriftforJohndeFulmhadnotsomeofhismenheardthefracas，andrushedtohisaid。
Fourofthemtherewere，andtheytumbledpell-mellintotheroom，fairlyfallinguponNormanofTornintheiranxietytogettheirswordsintohim；
butoncetheymetthatmasterhand，theywentmoreslowly，andinamoment，twoofthemwentnomoreatall，andtheothers，withtheEarl，werebutcirclingwarilyinsearchofachanceopening——anopeningwhichnevercame。
NormanofTornstoodwithhisbackagainstatableinanangleoftheroom，andbehindhimstoodJoandeTany。
\"Movetowardtheleft，\"shewhispered。\"Iknowthisoldpile。Whenyoureachthetablethatbearsthelamp，therewillbeasmalldoorwaydirectlybehindyou。Strikethelampoutwithyoursword，asyoufeelmyhandinyourleft，andthenIwillleadyouthroughthatdoorway，whichyoumustturnandquicklyboltafterus。Doyouunderstand？\"
Henodded。
Slowlyheworkedhiswaytowardthetable，themen-at-armsinthemeantimekeepingupaninfernalhowlingforhelp。TheEarlwascarefultokeepoutofreachofthepointofDeConde’ssword，andthemen-at-armswerenothingloathtoemulatetheirmaster’sexample。
Justashereachedhisgoal，adozenmoremenburstintotheroom，andemboldenedbythisreinforcement，oneofthemenengagingDeCondecametooclose。Ashejerkedhisbladefromthefellow’sthroat，NormanofTornfeltafirm，warmhandslippedintohisfrombehind，andhisswordswungwitharesoundingblowagainstthelamp。
Asdarknessenvelopedthechamber，JoandeTanyledhimthroughthelittledoor，whichheimmediatelyclosedandboltedasshehadinstructed。
\"Thisway，\"shewhispered，againslippingherhandintohisand，insilence，sheledhimthroughseveraldimchambers，andfinallystoppedbeforeablankwallinagreatoak-panelledroom。
Herethegirlfeltwithswiftfingerstheedgeofthemolding。Moreandmorerapidlyshemovedasthesoundofhurryingfootstepsresoundedthroughthecastle。
\"Whatiswrong？\"askedNormanofTorn，noticingherincreasingperturbation。
\"MonDieu！\"shecried。\"CanIbewrong！Surelythisistheroom。Oh，myfriend，thatIshouldhavebroughtyoutoallthisbymywillfulnessandvanity；andnowwhenImightsaveyou，mywitsleavemeandIforgettheway。\"
\"Donotworryaboutme，\"laughedtheDevilofTorn。\"MethoughtthatitwasIwhowastryingtosaveyou，andmayheavenforgivemeelse，forsurely，thatbemyonlyexcuseforrunningawayfromahandfulofswords。Icouldnottakechanceswhenthouwertatstake，Joan，\"headdedmoregravely。
Thesoundofpursuitwasnowquiteclose，infactthereflectionfromflickeringtorchescouldbeseeninnearbychambers。
Atlastthegirl，withalittlecryof\"stupid，\"seizedDeCondeandrushedhimtothefarsideoftheroom。
\"Hereitis，\"shewhisperedjoyously，\"hereithasbeenallthetime。\"
Runningherfingersalongthemoldinguntilshefoundalittlehiddenspring，shepushedit，andoneofthegreatpanelsswungslowlyin，revealingtheyawningmouthofablackopeningbehind。
Quicklythegirlentered，pullingDeCondeafterher，andasthepanelswungquietlyintoplace，theEarlofBuckinghamwithadozenmenenteredtheapartment。
\"Thedeviltakethem，\"criedDeFulm。\"Wherecantheyhavegone？Surelywewererightbehindthem。\"
\"Itispassingstrange，MyLord，\"repliedoneofthemen。\"Letustrythefloorabove，andthetowers；forofasuretytheyhavenotcomethisway。\"
Andthepartyretraceditssteps，leavingtheapartmentempty。
Behindthepanel，thegirlstoodshrinkingclosetoDeConde，herhandstillinhis。
\"Wherenow？\"heasked。\"OrdowestayhiddenherelikefrightenedchicksuntilthewarisoverandtheBaronreturnstoletusoutofthismustyhole？\"
\"Wait，\"sheanswered，\"untilIquietmynervesalittle。Iamallunstrung。\"Hefeltherbodytrembleasitpressedagainsthis。
Withthespiritofprotectionstrongwithinhim，whatwonderthathisarmfellabouthershoulderasthoughtosay，fearnot，forIbebraveandpowerful；naughtcanharmyouwhileIamhere。
Presentlyshereachedherhandsuptohisface，madebravetodoitbytheshelteringdarkness。
\"Roger，\"shewhispered，hertonguehaltingoverthefamiliarname。\"I
thoughtthattheyhadkilledyou，andallforme，formyfoolishstubbornness。Canstforgiveme？\"
\"Forgive？\"heasked，smilingtohimself。\"Forgivebeinggivenanopportunitytofight？Therebenothingtoforgive，Joan，unlessitbethatIshouldaskforgivenessforprotectingtheesopoorly。\"
\"Donotsaythat，\"shecommanded。\"Neverwassuchbraveryorsuchswordsmanshipinalltheworldbefore；neversuchaman。\"
Hedidnotanswer。Hismindwasachaosofconflictingthoughts。Thefeelofherhandsastheyhadlingeredmomentarily，andwithavaguecaressuponhischeek，andthepressureofherbodyassheleanedagainsthimsentthehotbloodcoursingthroughhisveins。Hewaspuzzled，forhehadnotdreamedthatfriendshipwassosweet。Thatshedidnotshrinkfromhisencirclingarmsshouldhavetoldhimmuch，butNormanofTornwasslowtorealizethatawomanmightlookuponhimwithlove。Norhadheathoughtofanyothersentimenttowardherthanthatoffriendandprotector。
Andthentherecametohimasinavisionanotherfairandbeautifulface——BertradedeMontfort’s——andNormanofTornwasstillmorepuzzled；forathearthewasclean，andloveofloyaltywasstrongwithinhim。Loveofwomenwasanewthingtohim，and，robbedashehadbeenallhisstarvedlifeoftheaffectionandkindlyfellowship，ofeithermenorwomen，itislittletobewonderedatthathewaseasilyimpressionableandresponsivetothefeelinghisstrongpersonalityhadawakenedintwoofEngland’sfairestdaughters。
Butwiththevisionofthatotherface，therecametohimafaintrealizationthatmayhapitwasastrongerpowerthaneitherfriendshiporfearwhichcausedthatlithe，warmbodytoclingsotightlytohim。Thattheresponsibilityforthecriticalstagetheiryoungacquaintancehadsoquicklyreachedwasnothishadneverforamomententeredhishead。Tohim，thefaultwasallhis；andperhapsitwasthisqualityofchivalrythatwasthefinestofthemanynoblecharacteristicsofhissterlingcharacter。Sohisnextwordsweretypicaloftheman；anddidJoandeTanylovehim，ordidshenot，shelearnedthatnighttorespectandtrusthimassherespectedandtrustedfewmenofheracquaintance。
\"MyLady，\"saidNormanofTorn，\"wehavebeenthroughmuch，andweareaslittlechildreninadarkattic，andsoifIhavepresumeduponouracquaintance，\"andheloweredhisarmfromabouthershoulder，\"IaskyoutoforgiveitforIscarceknowwhattodo，fromweaknessandfromthepainoftheblowuponmyhead。\"
JoandeTanydrewslowlyawayfromhim，andwithoutreply，tookhishandandledhimforwardthroughadark，coldcorridor。
\"Wemustgocarefullynow，\"shesaidatlast，\"fortherebestairsnear。\"
Heheldherhandpressedverytightlyinhis，tighterperhapsthanconditionsrequired，butsheletitliethereassheledhimforward，veryslowlydownaflightofroughstonesteps。
NormanofTornwonderedifshewereangrywithhimandthen，beingnewatlove，heblundered。
\"JoandeTany，\"hesaid。
\"Yes，RogerdeConde；whatwouldyou？\"
\"Youbesilent，andIfearthatyoubeangrywithme。TellmethatyouforgivewhatIhavedone，anitoffendedyou。Ihavesofewfriends，\"headdedsadly，\"thatIcannotaffordtolosesuchasyou。\"
\"YouwillneverlosethefriendshipofJoandeTany，\"sheanswered。\"Youhavewonherrespectand——and——\"Butshecouldnotsayitandsoshetrailedofflamely——\"andundyinggratitude。\"
ButNormanofTornknewthewordthatshewouldhavespokenhadhedaredtolether。Hedidnot，fortherewasalwaysthevisionofBertradedeMontfortbeforehim；andnowanothervisionarosethatwouldeffectuallyhavesealedhislipshadnottheother——hesawtheOutlawofTorndanglingbyhisneckfromawoodengibbet。
Before，hehadonlyfearedthatJoandeTanylovedhim，nowheknewit，andwhilehemarvelledthatsowondrousacreaturecouldfeelloveforhim，againheblamedhimself，andfeltsorrowforthemboth；forhedidnotreturnherlovenorcouldheimaginealovestrongenoughtosurvivetheknowledgethatitwaspossessedbytheDevilofTorn。
Presentlytheyreachedthebottomofthestairway，andJoandeTanyledhim，gropingly，acrosswhatseemed，fromtheirechoingfootsteps，alargechamber。Theairwaschillanddank，smellingofmold，andnorayoflightpenetratedthissubterraneanvault，andnosoundbrokethestillness。
\"Thisbethecastle’scrypt，\"whisperedJoan；\"andtheydosaythatstrangehappeningsoccurhereinthestillwatchesofthenight，andthatwhenthecastlesleeps，thecastle’sdeadrisefromtheircoffinsandshaketheirdrybones。
\"Sh！Whatwasthat？\"asarustlingnoisebrokeupontheirearscloseupontheirright；andthentherecameadistinctmoan，andJoandeTanyfledtotherefugeofNormanofTorn’sarms。
\"Thereisnothingtofear，Joan，\"reassuredNormanofTorn。\"Deadmenwieldnotswords，nordotheymove，ormoan。Thewind，Ithink，andratsareouronlycompanionshere。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"shewhispered。\"Ifyoucanmakealight，Iamsureyouwillfindanoldlamphereinthecrypt，andthenwillitbelessfearsome。AsachildIvisitedthiscastleoften，andinsearchofadventure，wepassedthroughthesecorridorsanhundredtimes，butalwaysbydayandwithlights。\"
NormanofTorndidasshebid，andfindingthelamp，lightedit。Thechamberwasquiteemptysaveforthecoffinsintheirniches，andsomeeffigiesinmarblesetatintervalsaboutthewalls。
\"Notsuchafearsomeplaceafterall，\"hesaid，laughinglightly。
\"Noplacewouldseemfearsomenow，\"sheansweredsimply，\"weretherealighttoshowmethatthebravefaceofRogerdeCondewerebymyside。\"
\"Hush，child，\"repliedtheoutlaw。\"Youknownotwhatyousay。Whenyouknowmebetter，youwillbesorryforyourwords，forRogerdeCondeisnotwhatyouthinkhim。Sosaynomoreofpraiseuntilwebeoutofthishole，andyousafeinyourfather’shalls。\"
Thefrightofthenoisesinthedarkchamberhadbutservedtoagainbringthegirl’sfaceclosetohissothathefeltherhot，sweetbreathuponhischeek，andthusanotherlinkwasforgedtobindhimtoher。
Withtheaidofthelamp，theymademorerapidprogress，andinafewmoments，reachedalowdoorattheendofthearchedpassageway。
\"Thisisthedoorwaywhichopensupontheravinebelowthecastle。Wehavepassedbeneaththewallsandthemoat。Whatmaywedonow，Roger，withouthorses？\"
\"Letusgetoutofthisplace，andasfarawayaspossibleunderthecoverofdarkness，andIdoubtnotImayfindawaytobringyoutoyourfather’scastle，\"repliedNormanofTorn。
Puttingoutthelight，lestitshouldattractthenoticeofthewatchuponthecastlewalls，NormanofTornpushedopenthelittledoorandsteppedforthintothefreshnightair。
Theravinewassoovergrownwithtangledvinesandwildwoodthat，hadthereeverbeenapathway，itwasnowcompletelyobliterated；anditwaswithdifficultythatthemanforcedhiswaythroughtheentanglingcreepersandtendrils。Thegirlstumbledafterhimandtwicefellbeforetheyhadtakenascoreofsteps。
\"IfearIamnotstrongenough，\"shesaidfinally。\"ThewayismuchmoredifficultthanIhadthought。\"
SoNormanofTornliftedherinhisstrongarms，andstumbledonthroughthedarknessandtheshrubberydownthecenteroftheravine。Itrequiredthebetterpartofanhourtotraversethelittledistancetotheroadway；
andallthetimeherheadnestleduponhisshoulderandherhairbrushedhischeek。Oncewhensheliftedherheadtospeaktohim，hebenttowardher，andinthedarkness，bychance，hislipsbrushedhers。Hefeltherlittleformtrembleinhisarms，andafaintsighbreathedfromherlips。
Theywereuponthehighroadnow，buthedidnotputherdown。Amistwasbeforehiseyes，andhecouldhavecrushedhertohimandsmotheredthosewarmlipswithhisown。Slowly，hisfaceinclinedtowardhers，closerandcloserhisironmusclespressedhertohim，andthen，clearcutanddistinctbeforehiseyes，hesawthecorpseoftheOutlawofTornswingingbytheneckfromthearmofawoodengibbet，andbesideitkneltawomangownedinrichclothofgoldandmanyjewels。Herfacewasavertedandherarmswereoutstretchedtowardthedanglingformthatswungandtwistedfromthegrim，gauntarm。Herfigurewasrackedwithchokingsobsofhorror-strickengrief。Presentlyshestaggeredtoherfeetandturnedaway，buryingherfaceinherhands；buthesawherfeaturesforaninstantthen——thewomanwhoopenlyandalonemournedthedeadOutlawofTornwasBertradedeMontfort。
Slowlyhisarmsrelaxed，andgentlyandreverentlyheloweredJoandeTanytotheground。InthatinstantNormanofTornhadlearnedthedifferencebetweenfriendshipandlove，andloveandpassion。
Themoonwasshiningbrightlyuponthem，andthegirlturned，wide-eyedandwondering，towardhim。Shehadfeltthewildcallofloveandshecouldnotunderstandhisseemingcoldnessnow，forshehadseennovisionbeyondalifeofhappinesswithinthosestrongarms。
\"Joan，\"hesaid，\"Iwouldbutnowhavewrongedthee。Forgiveme。ForgetwhathaspassedbetweenusuntilIcancometoyouinmyrightfulcolors，whenthespellofthemoonlightandadventurebenolongeruponus，andthen，\"——hepaused——\"andthenIshalltellyouwhoIbeandyoushallsayifyoustillcaretocallmefriend——nomorethanthatshallIask。\"
HehadnotthehearttotellherthathelovedonlyBertradedeMontfort，butithadbeenathousandtimesbetterhadhedoneso。
Shewasabouttoreplywhenadozenarmedmensprangfromthesurroundingshadows，callinguponthemtosurrender。Themoonlightfallingupontheleaderrevealedagreatgiantofafellowwithanenormous，bristlingmustache——itwasShandy。
NormanofTornloweredhisraisedsword。
\"ItisI，Shandy，\"hesaid。\"KeepastilltongueinthyheaduntilIspeakwiththeeapart。Waithere，MyLadyJoan；thesebefriends。\"
DrawingShandytooneside，helearnedthatthefaithfulfellowhadbecomealarmedathischief’scontinuedabsence，andhadsetoutwithasmallpartytosearchforhim。TheyhadcomeupontheriderlessSirMortimergrazingbytheroadside，andashortdistancebeyond，haddiscoveredevidencesoftheconflictatthecross-roads。TheretheyhadfoundNormanofTorn’shelmet，confirmingtheirworstfears。Apeasantinanearbyhuthadtoldthemoftheencounter，andhadsetthemupontheroadtakenbytheEarlandhisprisoners。
\"Andherewebe，MyLord，\"concludedthegreatfellow。
\"Howmanyareyou？\"askedtheoutlaw。
\"Fifty，alltold，withthosewholiefartherbackinthebushes。\"
\"Giveushorses，andlettwoofthemenridebehindus，\"saidthechief。
\"And，Shandy，letnottheladyknowthatsheridesthisnightwiththeOutlawofTorn。\"
\"Yes，MyLord。\"
Theyweresoonmounted，andclatteringdowntheroad，backtowardthecastleofRicharddeTany。
JoandeTanylookedinsilentwonderuponthisgrimforcethatsprangoutoftheshadowsofthenighttodothebiddingofRogerdeConde，agentlemanofFrance。
TherewassomethingfamiliarinthegreatbulkofRedShandy；wherehadsheseenthatmightyframebefore？AndnowshelookedcloselyatthefigureofRogerdeConde。Yes，somewhereelsehadsheseenthesetwomentogether；butwhereandwhen？
Andthenthestrangenessofanotherincidentcametohermind。RogerdeCondespokenoEnglish，andyetshehadplainlyheardEnglishwordsuponthisman’slipsasheaddressedtheredgiant。
NormanofTornhadrecoveredhishelmetfromoneofhismenwhohadpickeditupatthecrossroads，andnowherodeinsilencewithloweredvisor，aswashiscustom。
Therewassomethingsinisternowinhisappearance，andasthemoonlighttouchedthehard，cruelfacesofthegrimandsilentmenwhorodebehindhim，alittleshuddercreptovertheframeofJoandeTany。
ShortlybeforedaylighttheyreachedthecastleofRicharddeTany，andagreatshoutwentupfromthewatchasNormanofTorncried：
\"Open！OpenforMyLadyJoan。\"
Togethertheyrodeintothecourtyard，whereallwasbustleandexcitement。Adozenvoicesaskedadozenquestionsonlytocryoutstillotherswithoutwaitingforreplies。
RicharddeTanywithhisfamilyandMarydeStutevillwerestillfullyclothed，havingnotlaindownduringthewholenight。TheyfairlyfelluponJoanandRogerdeCondeintheirjoyouswelcomeandrelief。
\"Come，come，\"saidtheBaron，\"letusgowithin。Youmustbefairfamishedforgoodfoodanddrink。\"
\"Iwillride，MyLord，\"repliedNormanofTorn。\"Ihavealittlematterofbusinesswithmyfriend，theEarlofBuckingham。BusinesswhichIfearwillnotwait。\"
JoandeTanylookedoninsilence。Nordidsheurgehimtoremain，asheraisedherhandtohislipsinfarewell。SoNormanofTornrodeoutofthecourtyard；andashismenfellinbehindhimunderthefirstraysofthedrawingday，thedaughterofDeTanywatchedthemthroughthegate，andagreatlightbrokeuponher，forwhatshesawwasthesameasshehadseenafewdayssincewhenshehadturnedinhersaddletowatchtheretreatingformsofthecut-throatsofTornastheyrodeonafterhaltingherfather’sparty。
CHAPTERXIV
Somehourslater，fiftymenfollowedNormanofTornonfootthroughtheravinebelowthecastlewhereJohndeFulm，EarlofBuckingham，hadhisheadquarters；whilenearlyathousandmorelurkedinthewoodsbeforethegrimpile。
Undercoverofthetangledshrubbery，theycrawledunseentothelittledoorthroughwhichJoandeTanyhadledhimthenightbefore。Followingthecorridorsandvaultsbeneaththecastle，theycametothestonestairway，andmountedtothepassagewhichledtothefalsepanelthathadgiventhetwofugitivesegress。
Slippingthespringlock，NormanofTornenteredtheapartmentfollowedcloselybyhishenchmen。Ontheywent，throughapartmentafterapartment，butnosignoftheEarlorhisservitorsrewardedtheirsearch，anditwassoonapparentthatthecastlewasdeserted。
Astheycameforthintothecourtyard，theydescriedanoldmanbaskinginthesun，uponabench。Thesightofthemnearlycausedtheoldfellowtodieoffright，fortoseefiftyarmedmenissuefromtheuntenantedhallswaswellreckonedtoblanchevenabravercheek。
WhenNormanofTornquestionedhim，helearnedthatDeFulmhadriddenoutearlyinthedayboundforDover，wherePrinceEdwardthenwas。Theoutlawknewitwouldbefutiletopursuehim，butyet，sofiercewashisangeragainstthisman，thatheorderedhisbandtomount，andspurringtotheirhead，hemarchedthroughMiddlesex，andcrossingtheThamesaboveLondon，enteredSurreylatethesameafternoon。
AstheyweregoingintocampthatnightinKent，midwaybetweenLondonandRochester，wordcametoNormanofTornthattheEarlofBuckingham，havingsenthisescortontoDover，hadstoppedtovisitthewifeofaroyalistbaron，whosehusbandwaswithPrinceEdward’sforces。
Thefellowwhogavethisinformationwasaservantinmylady’shouseholdwhoheldagrudgeagainsthismistressforsomewrongshehaddonehim。
When，therefore，hefoundthatthesegrimmenweresearchingforDeFulm，hesawawaytoberevengeduponhismistress。
\"Howmanyswordsbethereatthecastle？\"askedNormanofTorn。
\"Scarceadozen，barringtheEarlofBuckingham，\"repliedtheknave；\"and，furthermore，therebeawaytoenter，whichImayshowyou，MyLord，sothatyoumay，unseen，reachtheapartmentwhereMyLadyandtheEarlbesupping。\"
\"Bringtenmen，besideyourself，Shandy，\"commandedNormanofTorn。\"Weshallpayalittlevisituponouramorousfriend，MyLord，theEarlofBuckingham。\"
Halfanhour’sridebroughtthemwithinsightofthecastle。Dismounting，andleavingtheirhorseswithoneofthemen，NormanofTornadvancedonfootwithShandyandtheeightothers，closeinthewakeofthetraitorousservant。
Thefellowledthemtotherearofthecastle，where，amongthebrush，hehadhiddenarudeladder，which，whentilted，spannedthemoatandresteditsfartherenduponawindowledgesometenfeetabovetheground。
\"Keepthefellowheretilllast，Shandy，\"saidtheoutlaw，\"tillallbein，an’iftherebeanysignsoftreachery，stickhimthroughthegizzard——
deaththusbeslowerandmorepainful。\"
Sosaying，NormanofTorncreptboldlyacrosstheimprovisedbridge，anddisappearedwithinthewindowbeyond。Onebyonethebandofcut-throatspassedthroughthelittlewindow，untilallstoodwithinthecastlebesidetheirchief；Shandycominglastwiththeservant。
\"Leadmequietly，knave，totheroomwhereMyLordsups，\"saidNormanofTorn。\"You，Shandy，placeyourmenwheretheycanpreventmybeinginterrupted。\"
FollowingamomentortwoafterShandycameanotherfigurestealthilyacrosstheladderand，asNormanofTornandhisfollowersleftthelittleroom，thisfigurepushedquietlythroughthewindowandfollowedthegreatoutlawdowntheunlightedcorridor。
Amomentlater，MyLadyofLeybournlookedupfromherplateuponthegrimfigureofanarmoredknightstandinginthedoorwayofthegreatdininghall。
\"MyLordEarl！\"shecried。\"Look！Behindyou。\"
AndastheEarlofBuckinghamglancedbehindhim，heoverturnedthebenchuponwhichhesatinhisefforttogainhisfeet；forMyLordEarlofBuckinghamhadaguiltyconscience。
Thegrimfigureraisedarestraininghand，astheEarldrewhissword。
\"Amoment，MyLord，\"saidalowvoiceinperfectFrench。
\"Whoareyou？\"criedthelady。
\"IbeanoldfriendofMyLord，here；butletmetellyoualittlestory。
\"InagrimoldcastleinEssex，onlylastnight，agreatlordofEnglandheldbyforcethebeautifuldaughterofanoblehouseand，whenshespurnedhisadvances，hestruckherwithhisclenchedfistuponherfairface，andwithhisbrutehandschokedher。Andinthatcastlealsowasadespisedandhuntedoutlaw，withapriceuponhishead，forwhoseneckthehempennoosehasbeenyawningthesemanyyears。Anditwasthisvilepersonwhocameintimetosavetheyoungwomanfromthenobleflowerofknighthoodthatwouldhaveruinedheryounglife。
\"Theoutlawwishedtokilltheknight，butmanymen-at-armscametothenoble’srescue，andsotheoutlawwasforcedtoflywiththegirllesthebeovercomebynumbers，andthegirlthusfallagainintothehandsofhertormentor。
\"Butthiscrudeoutlawwasnotsatisfiedwithmerelyrescuingthegirl，hemustneedsmeteoutjusticetohernobleabductorandcollectinfullthetollofbloodwhichalonecanatonefortheinsultandviolencedoneher。
\"MyLady，theyounggirlwasJoandeTany；thenoblewasMyLordtheEarlofBuckingham；andtheoutlawstandsbeforeyoutofulfillthedutyhehassworntodo。Engarde，MyLord！\"
Theencounterwasshort，forNormanofTornhadcometokill，andhehadbeenlookingthroughahazeofbloodforhours——infacteverytimehehadthoughtofthosebrutalfingersuponthefairthroatofJoandeTanyandofthecruelblowthathadfallenuponherface。
Heshowednomercy，butbackedtheEarlrelentlesslyintoacorneroftheroom，andwhenhehadhimtherewherehecouldescapeinnodirection，hedrovehisbladesodeepthroughhisputridheartthatthepointburieditselfaninchintheoakpanelbeyond。
ClaudiaLeybournsatfrozenwithhorroratthesightshewaswitnessing，and，asNormanofTornwrenchedhisbladefromthedeadbodybeforehimandwipeditontherushesofthefloor，shegazedinawfulfascinationwhilehedrewhisdaggerandmadeamarkupontheforeheadofthedeadnobleman。
\"OutlaworDevil，\"saidasternvoicebehindthem，\"RogerLeybournowesyouhisfriendshipforsavingthehonorofhishome。\"
Bothturnedtodiscoveramail-cladfigurestandinginthedoorwaywhereNormanofTornhadfirstappeared。
\"Roger！\"shriekedClaudiaLeybourn，andswooned。
\"Whobeyou？\"continuedthemasterofLeybournaddressingtheoutlaw。
ForanswerNormanofTornpointedtotheforeheadofthedeadEarlofBuckingham，andthereRogerLeybournsaw，inlettersofblood，NT。
TheBaronadvancedwithoutstretchedhand。
\"Ioweyoumuch。Youhavesavedmypoor，sillywifefromthisbeast，andJoandeTanyismycousin，soIamdoublybeholdentoyou，NormanofTorn。\"
Theoutlawpretendedthathedidnotseethehand。
\"Youowemenothing，SirRoger，thatmaynotbepaidbyagoodsupper。I
haveeatenbutonceinforty-eighthours。\"
TheoutlawnowcalledtoShandyandhismen，tellingthemtoremainonwatch，buttointerferewithnoonewithinthecastle。
HethensatatthetablewithRogerLeybournandhislady，whohadrecoveredfromherswoon，andbehindthemontherushesofthefloorlaythebodyofDeFulminalittlepoolofblood。
LeybourntoldthemthathehadheardthatDeFulmwasathishome，andhadhastenedback；havingbeeninhidingaboutthecastleforhalfanhourbeforethearrivalofNormanofTorn，awaitinganopportunitytoenterunobservedbytheservants。ItwashewhohadfollowedacrosstheladderafterShandy。
TheoutlawspentthenightatthecastleofRogerLeybourn；forthefirsttimewithinhismemoryawelcomedguestunderhistruenameatthehouseofagentleman。
Thefollowingmorning，hebadehishostgoodbye，andreturningtohiscampstartedonhishomewardmarchtowardTorn。
Nearmidday，astheywereapproachingtheThamesneartheenvironsofLondon，theysawagreatconcourseofpeoplehootingandjeeringatasmallpartyofgentlemenandgentlewomen。
Someofthecrowdwerearmed，andfromveryforceofnumberswerewaxingbravetolayviolenthandsupontheparty。Mudandrocksandrottenvegetableswerebeinghurledatthelittlecavalcade，manyofthembarelymissingthewomenoftheparty。
NormanofTornwaitedtoasknoquestions，butspurringintothethickofitlaidrightandleftofhimwiththeflatofhissword，andhismen，catchingthecontagionofit，swarmedafterhimuntilthewholepackofattackingruffiansweredrivenintotheThames。
Andthen，withoutabackwardglanceatthepartyhehadrescued，hecontinuedonhismarchtowardthenorth。
Thelittlepartysatupontheirhorseslookinginwonderaftertheretreatingfiguresoftheirdeliverers。Thenoneoftheladiesturnedtoaknightathersidewithawordofcommandandanimperiousgesturetowardthefastdisappearingcompany。He，thusaddressed，putspurstohishorse，androdeatarapidgallopaftertheoutlaw’stroop。InafewmomentshehadovertakenthemandreinedupbesideNormanofTorn。
\"Hold，SirKnight，\"criedthegentleman，\"theQueenwouldthankyouinpersonforyourbravedefenceofher。\"
Everkeentoseethehumorofasituation，NormanofTornwheeledhishorseandrodebackwiththeQueen’smessenger。
AshefacedHerMajesty，theOutlawofTornbentlowoverhispommel。
\"Youbeastrangeknightthatthinkssolightlyonsavingaqueen’slifethatyourideonwithoutturningyourhead，asthoughyouhadbutdrivenapackofcursfromannoyingastraycat，\"saidtheQueen。
\"Idrewintheserviceofawoman，YourMajesty，notintheserviceofaqueen。\"
\"Whatnow！Wouldstevenbelittletheactwhichweallwitnessed？TheKing，myhusband，shallrewardthee，SirKnight，ifyoubuttellmeyourname。\"
\"IfItoldmyname，methinkstheKingwouldbemoreapttohangme，\"
laughedtheoutlaw。\"IbeNormanofTorn。\"
Theentirepartylookedwithstartledastonishmentuponhim，fornoneofthemhadeverseenthisboldraiderwhomallthenobilityandgentryofEnglandfearedandhated。
\"Forlesseractsthanthatwhichthouhastjustperformed，theKinghaspardonedmenbefore，\"repliedHerMajesty。\"Butraiseyourvisor，Iwouldlookuponthefaceofsonotoriousacriminalwhocanyetbeagentlemanandaloyalprotectorofhisqueen。\"
\"Theywhohavelookeduponmyface，otherthanmyfriends，\"repliedNormanofTornquietly，\"haveneverlivedtotellwhattheysawbeneaththisvisor，andasforyou，Madame，IhavelearnedwithintheyeartofearitmightmeanunhappinesstoyoutoseethevisoroftheDevilofTornliftedfromhisface。\"Withoutanotherwordhewheeledandgallopedbacktohislittlearmy。
\"Thepuppy，theinsolentpuppy，\"criedEleanorofEngland，inarage。
AndsotheOutlawofTornandhismothermetandpartedafteraperiodoftwentyyears。
Twodayslater，NormanofTorndirectedRedShandytoleadtheforcesofTornfromtheirEssexcampbacktoDerby。Thenumerousraidingpartieswhichhadbeenconstantlyupontheroadduringthedaystheyhadspentinthisrichdistricthadloadedtheextrasumpterbeastswithrichandvaluablebootyandthemen，forthetimesatiatedwithfightingandloot，turnedtheirfacestowardTornwithevidentsatisfaction。
Theoutlawwasspeakingtohiscaptainsincouncil；athissidetheoldmanofTorn。
\"Ridebyeasystages，Shandy，andIwillovertakeyoubytomorrowmorning。
IbutrideforamomenttothecastleofDeTanyonanerrand，and，asI
shallstoptherebutafewmoments，Ishallsurelyjoinyoutomorrow。\"
\"Donotforget，MyLord，\"saidEdwildtheSerf，agreatyellow-hairedSaxongiant，\"thattherebeapartyoftheKing’stroopscampedclosebytheroadwhichbranchestoTany。\"
\"Ishallgivethemplentyofroom，\"repliedNormanofTorn。\"Myneckitchethnottobestretched，\"andhelaughedandmounted。
Fiveminutesafterhehadcantereddowntheroadfromcamp，SpizotheSpaniard，sneakinghishorseunseenintothesurroundingforest，mountedandspurredrapidlyafterhim。Thecamp，inthethroesofpackingrefractory，halfbrokensumpteranimals，andsaddlingtheirownwildmounts，didnotnoticehisdeparture。Onlythelittlegrim，gray，oldmanknewthathehadgone，orwhy，orwhither。
Thatafternoon，asRogerdeCondewasadmittedtothecastleofRicharddeTanyandescortedtoalittleroomwhereheawaitedthecomingoftheLadyJoan，aswarthymessengerhandedalettertothecaptainoftheKing’ssoldierscampedafewmilessouthofTany。
Theofficertoreopenthesealasthemessengerturnedandspurredbackinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome。
Andthiswaswhatheread：
NormanofTornisnowatthecastleofTany，withoutescort。
Instantlythecall\"toarms\"and\"mount\"soundedthroughthecampand，infiveminutes，ahundredmercenariesgallopedrapidlytowardthecastleofRicharddeTany，inthevisionsoftheircaptainagreatrewardandhonorandprefermentforthecaptureofthemightyoutlawwhowasnowalmostwithinhisclutches。
ThreeroadsmeetatTany；onefromthesouthalongwhichtheKing’ssoldierswerenowriding；onefromthewestwhichhadguidedNormanofTornfromhiscamptothecastle；andathirdwhichrannorthwestthroughCambridgeandHuntingdontowardDerby。
Allunconsciousoftherapidlyapproachingfoes，NormanofTornwaitedcomposedlyintheanteroomforJoandeTany。
Presentlysheentered，clothedintheclinginghousegarmentoftheperiod；
abeautifulvision，mademorebeautifulbythesuppressedexcitementwhichcausedthebloodtosurgebeneaththevelvetofhercheek，andherbreaststoriseandfallaboveherfastbeatingheart。
Shelethimtakeherfingersinhisandraisethemtohislips，andthentheystoodlookingintoeachother’seyesinsilenceforalongmoment。
\"IdonotknowhowtotellyouwhatIhavecometotell，\"hesaidsadly。
\"Ihavenotmeanttodeceiveyoutoyourharm，butthetemptationtobewithyouandthosewhomyoutypifymustbemyexcuse。I——\"Hepaused。
ItwaseasytotellherthathewastheOutlawofTorn，butifshelovedhim，ashefeared，howwashetotellherthathelovedonlyBertradedeMontfort？
\"Youneedtellmenothing，\"interruptedJoandeTany。\"Ihaveguessedwhatyouwouldtellme，NormanofTorn。’Thespellofmoonlightandadventureisnolongeruponus’——thoseareyourownwords，andstillIamgladtocallyoufriend。\"
ThelittleemphasissheputuponthelastwordbespokethefinalityofherdecisionthattheOutlawofTorncouldbenomorethanfriendtoher。
\"Itisbest，\"hereplied，relievedthat，ashethought，shefeltnoloveforhimnowthatsheknewhimforwhathereallywas。\"Nothinggoodcouldcometosuchasyou，Joan，iftheDevilofTorncouldclaimmoreofyouthanfriendship；andsoIthinkthatforyourpeaceofmindandformyown，wewillletitbeasthoughyouhadneverknownme。Ithankyouthatyouhavenotbeenangrywithme。RemembermeonlytothinkthatinthehillsofDerby，aswordisatyourservice，withoutrewardandwithoutprice。
Shouldyoueverneedit，Joan，tellmethatyouwillsendforme——wiltpromisemethat，Joan？\"
\"Ipromise，NormanofTorn。\"
\"Farewell，\"hesaid，andasheagainkissedherhandhebenthiskneetothegroundinreverence。Thenherosetogo，pressingalittlepacketintoherpalm。Theireyesmet，andthemansaw，inthatbriefinstant，deepintheazuredepthsofthegirl’sthatwhichtumbledthestructureofhisnew-foundcomplacencyabouthisears。
AsherodeoutintothebrightsunlightupontheroadwhichlednorthwesttowardDerby，NormanofTornbowedhisheadinsorrow，forherealizedtwothings。Onewasthatthegirlhehadleftstilllovedhim，andthatsomeday，mayhaptomorrow，shewouldsufferbecauseshehadsenthimaway；andtheotherwasthathedidnotloveher，thathisheartwaslockedinthefairbreastofBertradedeMontfort。
Hefelthimselfabeastthathehadallowedhislonelinessandtheachingsorrowofhisstarved，emptyhearttoleadhimintothisgirl’slife。Thathehadbeennewtowomenandnewerstilltolovedidnotpermithimtoexcusehimself，andahundredtimeshecursedhisfollyandstupidity，andwhathethoughtwasfickleness。
Buttheunhappyaffairhadtaughthimonethingforcertain：toknowwithoutquestionwhatlovewas，andthatthememoryofBertradedeMontfort’slipswouldalwaysbemoretohimthanalltheallurementspossessedbythebalanceofthewomenoftheworld，nomatterhowcharming，orhowbeautiful。
Anotherthing，apainfulthinghehadlearnedfromit，too，thattheattitudeofJoandeTany，daughterofanoldandnoblehouse，wasbuttheattitudewhichtheOutlawofTornmustexpectfromanygoodwomanofherclass；whathemustexpectfromBertradedeMontfortwhenshelearnedthatRogerdeCondewasNormanofTorn。
TheoutlawhadscarcepassedoutofsightupontheroadtoDerbyerethegirl，whostillstoodinanembrasureofthesouthtower，gazingwithstrangelydrawn，sadfaceuptheroadwhichhadswallowedhim，sawabodyofsoldiersgallopingrapidlytowardTanyfromthesouth。
TheKing’sbannerwavedabovetheirheads，andintuitively，JoandeTanyknewforwhomtheysoughtatherfather’scastle。Quicklyshehastenedtotheouterbarbicanthatitmightbeshewhoansweredtheirhailratherthanoneofthemen-at-armsonwatchthere。
ShehadscarcelyreachedtherampartsoftheoutergateeretheKing’smendrewreinbeforethecastle。
Inreplytotheirhail，JoandeTanyaskedtheirmission。
\"Weseektheoutlaw，NormanofTorn，whohidesnowwithinthiscastle，\"
repliedtheofficer。
\"Therebenooutlawhere，\"repliedthegirl，\"but，ifyouwish，youmayenterwithhalfadozenmenandsearchthecastle。\"
Thistheofficerdidand，whenhehadassuredhimselfthatNormanofTornwasnotwithin，anhourhadpassed，andJoandeTanyfeltcertainthattheOutlawofTornwastoofaraheadtobecaughtbytheKing’smen；soshesaid：
\"TherewasoneherejustbeforeyoucamewhocalledhimselfthoughbyanothernamethanNormanofTorn。Possiblyitisheyeseek。\"
\"Whichwayrodehe？\"criedtheofficer。
\"Straighttowardthewestbythemiddleroad，\"liedJoandeTany。And，astheofficerhurriedfromthecastleand，withhismenathisback，gallopedfuriouslyawaytowardthewest，thegirlsankdownuponabench，pressingherlittlehandstoherthrobbingtemples。
ThensheopenedthepacketwhichNormanofTornhadhandedher，andwithinfoundtwoothers。Inoneofthesewasabeautifuljeweledlocket，andontheoutsideweretheinitialsJT，andontheinsidetheinitialsNT；intheotherwasagoldenhairornamentsetwithpreciousstones，andaboutitwaswoundastrandofherownsilkentresses。
Shelookedlongatthelittletrinketsandthen，pressingthemagainstherlips，shethrewherselffacedownuponanoakenbench，herlitheyoungformrackedwithsobs。
Shewasindeedbutalittlegirlchainedbytheinexorablebondsofcastetoafalseideal。Birthandstationspelledhonortoher，andhonor，tothedaughterofanEnglishnoble，wasamightierforceeventhanlove。
ThatNormanofTornwasanoutlawshemighthaveforgiven，butthathewas，accordingtoreport，alowfellowofnobirthplacedanimpassablebarrierbetweenthem。
Forhoursthegirllaysobbinguponthebench，whilstwithinherragedthemightybattleoftheheartagainstthehead。
Thushermotherfoundher，andkneelingbesideher，andwithherarmsaboutthegirl’sneck，triedtosootheherandtolearnthecauseofhersorrow。
Finallyitcame，pouredfromthefloodgatesofasorrowingheart；thatwaveofbittermiseryandhopelessnesswhichnotevenamother’slovecouldcheck。
\"Joan，mydeardaughter，\"criedLadydeTany，\"Isorrowwiththeethatthylovehasbeencastuponsobleakandimpossibleashore。Butitbebetterthatthouhastlearntthetruthereitweretoolate；for，takemyworduponit，Joan，thebitterhumiliationsuchanalliancemustneedshavebroughtupontheeandthyfather’shousewouldsoonhavecooledthylove；
norcouldhishavesurvivedthesneersandaffrontseventhemenialswouldhaveputuponhim。\"
\"Oh，mother，butIlovehimso，\"moanedthegirl。\"Ididnotknowhowmuchuntilhehadgone，andtheKing’sofficerhadcometosearchforhim，andthenthethoughtthatallthepowerofagreatthroneandthemightiesthousesofanentirekingdomwereturnedinhatredagainsthimraisedthehotbloodofangerwithinmeandtheknowledgeofmylovesurgedthroughallmybeing。Mother，thoucanstnotknowthehonor，andthebravery，andthechivalryofthemanasIdo。NotsinceArthurofSilureskepthisroundtablehathriddenforthuponEnglishsoilsotrueaknightasNormanmanofTorn。
\"Couldstthoubuthaveseenhimfight，mymother，andwitnessedthehonorofhistreatmentofthydaughter，andheardthetoneofdignifiedrespectinwhichhespokeofwomenthouwouldsthavelovedhim，too，andfeltthatoutlawthoughhebe，heisstillmoreagentlemanthannine-tenthsthenoblesofEngland。\"
\"Buthisbirth，mydaughter！\"arguedtheLadydeTany。\"Someevensaythatthegallmarksofhisbrasscollarstillshowethuponhisneck，andothersthatheknowethnothimselfthenameofhisownfather，norhadheanymother。\"
Ah，butthiswasthemightyargument！Naughtcouldthegirlsaytojustifysoheinousacrimeaslowbirth。Whatamandidinthoseroughcrueldaysmightbeforgottenandforgivenbutthesinsofhismotherorhisgrandfatherinnotbeingofnobleblood，nomatterhowsoeverwickedlyattained，hemightneverovercomeorlivedown。
Tornbyconflictingemotions，thepoorgirldraggedherselftoherownapartmentandthereuponarestless，sleeplesscouch，besetbywild，impossiblehopes，andvain，torturingregrets，shefoughtoutthelong，bitternight；untiltowardmorningshesolvedtheproblemofhermiseryintheonlywaythatseemedpossibletoherpoor，tired，bleeding，littleheart。Whentherisingsunshonethroughthenarrowwindow，itfoundJoandeTanyatpeacewithallabouther；thecarvedgoldenhiltofthetoythathadhungathergirdleprotrudedfromherbreast，andathinlineofcrimsonranacrossthesnowyskintoalittlepooluponthesheetbeneathher。
Andsothecruelhandofamightyrevengehadreachedouttocrushanotherinnocentvictim。