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At last, by their united efforts, the fire was got under without material damage to the little building, and Mabel retired, expecting her grandsire to return; but as he did not do so, and as almost instantly afterwards the plash of oars was heard en the lake, she flew to the window, and beheld him, by the gleam of the lightning, seated in the skiff with Morgan Fenwolf, while Valentine Hagthorne had mounted a black horse, and was galloping swiftly away.
"Why did you not arrest him?" inquired Henry. "I did not like to do so without your majesty's authority," replied Bouchier. "Besides, I could scarcely arrest Hagthorne without at the same time securing the old forester, which might have alarmed the damsel. But I am ready to execute your injunctions now."
"Ay," replied Tristram bluntly. "Strange I should never have seen her before," rejoined the other. "She is very fair. Be ruled by me, friend Tristram take her home again. If she sees the king, ill will come of it. You know, or should know, his character." "Hagthorne advises well," interposed Fenwolf. "Mabel will be better at home."
In another moment he was beside them, and fixed his dark piercing eyes on Mabel in such a manner as to compel her to avert her gaze. "What brings you here this morning, Tristram Lyndwood?" he demanded, in a hoarse imperious tone. "The same motive that brought you, Valentine Hagthorne," replied the old forester "to see the royal chase." "This, I suppose, is your granddaughter?" pursued Hagthorne.
From this scene Morgan Fenwolf kept aloof, and remained leaning against a tree, with his eyes riveted upon the damsel. He was roused from his reverie by a slight tap upon the shoulder; and turning at the touch, beheld Valentine Hagthorne. Obedient to a sign from the latter, he followed him amongst the trees, and they both plunged into a dell.
"But she has no intention of returning at present," replied Mabel. "You brought me here for pastime, dear grandfather, and will not take me back at the recommendation of this strange man?" "Content you, child content you," replied Tristram kindly. "You shall remain where you are." "You will repent it!" cried Hagthorne. And hastily darting among the trees, he disappeared from view.
She then staggered to the door, and beheld her grandfather occupied with two dark figures, whom she recognised as Valentine Hagthorne and Morgan Fenwolf, in extinguishing the flames, which were bursting from the thatched roof of the hut. Surprise and terror held her silent, and the others were so busily engaged that they did not notice her.
"Let a party of men go in search of Hagthorne to-night," replied Henry; "and while Mabel is brought to the castle to-morrow, do you arrest old Tristram, and keep him in custody till I have leisure to examine him." "It shall be done as you desire, my liege," replied Bouchier, bowing and departing.
"Valentine Hagthorne said mischief would come of it, and I wish I had attended to his advice." "I see no mischief in the matter, grandsire," cried Mabel. "On the contrary, I think I have met with excellent fortune. The good cardinal promises me a high destiny, and says the king himself noticed me." "Would his regards had fallen anywhere than on you," rejoined Tristram.
"I shrewdly suspect that old Tristram Lyndwood, the grandsire of the damsel upon whom your majesty has deigned to cast your regards, is in some way or other leagued with Herne," said Bouchier. "At all events, I saw him with a tall hideous-looking personage, whose name I understand to be Valentine Hagthorne, and who, I feel persuaded, must be one of the remnants of the demon hunter's band."
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