shortly, friend,--I have but little leisure."

"And yet, Lord Montagu, my business may touch thee home."

Montagu, surprised, gazed more attentively on his visitor: "Surely, I
know thy face, friend,--we have met before."

"True; thou wert then on thy way to the More."

"I remember me; and thou then seemedst, from thy bold words, on a
still shorter road to the gallows."

"The tree is not planted," said Robin, carelessly, "that will serve
for my gibbet. But were there no words uttered by me that thou
couldst not disapprove? I spoke of lawless disorders, of shameful
malfaisance throughout the land, which the Woodvilles govern under a
lewd tyrant--"

"Traitor, hold!"

"A tyrant," continued Robin, heeding not the interruption nor the
angry gesture of Montagu, "a tyrant who at this moment meditates the
destruction of the House of Nevile. And not contented with this
world's weapons, palters with the Evil One for the snares and
devilries of witchcraft."

"Hush, man! Not so loud," said Montagu, in an altered voice.
"Approach nearer,--nearer yet. They who talk of a crowned king, whose
right hand raises armies, and whose left hand reposes on the block,
should beware how they speak above their breath. Witchcraft, sayest