The Forest Lovers

When Galors overshot his mark in Thornyhold he flew very wide. It is

well known there are no roads. Thornyhold is but the beginning of the

densest patch of timber in all the forest. Malbank is your nearest

habitation; Spenshaw, Heckaby, Dunsholt Thicket, Hartshold, Deerleap

are forest names, not names of the necessities of men. You may wander

a month if you choose, telling one green hollow from another; or you

may go to Holy Thorn at Malbank, or endure unto Wanmouth and the sea.

If you were Galors and needed counsel you would not choose the wood;

naturally you would avoid Malbank. There would remain to you Wanmouth.

Galors went to Wanmouth. It was the Countess's country of course; but

his disguise was good enough. People read the arms and hailed a le Gai

or one of that house. It was at Wanmouth that he learned what he

wanted. Malise, after one of his interminable chafferings with the

Abbot Richard, took it on his way to the east.

"My Lord Baron of Starning," said the Vice-Admiral of the port, "we

have had a friend of your house here a week or more."

"Eh, eh!" said Malise, feeling his pocket, "what does the rogue want

with his friendship? I'm as poor as a rat. Who is he?"

"Oh, for that," replied the other, "he seems a great lord in his way,

wears your blazon, is free with his money, and he swears like a

Fleming."

"Bring him to me, Admiral, bring him to me. I shall like this man."

So Galors was brought in, to be graciously received by the head of the

house of Gai. His blunt manner deceived Malise at once. In his

experience people who wanted to borrow dealt differently. Here was a

lofty soul, who might, on the other hand, be guided to lend! In the

course of a long conversation Melise unbosomed. He was newly a lover

and liked the part. The Baron ended his confession thus-"So, my dear friend, you see how it is with me. I have never met you

before--the more's the pity. I accept your civilities, but I make no

promises--you know our legend? Well, I bide my time--he--he! No

boasting, but upon my honour, my reputation does not make me out

ungrateful. I say to you, go to Malbank; observe, watch, judge, then

report to me. The detail I leave to you. I should recommend a

disguise. The place has become one of pilgrimage--go as a pilgrim! You

will see whether the prize is worth my while. I am sure you have

taste--I know it. Observe, report. Then we will act."

"Ravishment of ward?" asked Galors dryly.

"Ward! She is not his ward. How can she be? Who is she? Nobody knows.

The thing is a crying scandal, my dear friend. A woman in an abbey

parlour! An alcove at Holy Thorn! Are we Mohammedans, infidels, Jews

of the Old Law? Fie!"