A Gentleman Player

good Lord, deliver us!"

stress Hazlehurst, backing to make ro

er, holding his light and his bridle in one hand, caught Mr. Marryott's bridle with the other. Hal struck this hand down with one of his

y gentle tone, "may I know w

ck, promptly. "The officers of justice are s

wondered if she could have heard of the council's intention,

s of justice to do

count for the kill

wounds had been given on both si

is dead, then?

om his funeral!"

he sister, for she had been at the performance of "Hamlet," yesterday. And here was explanation of her departure from the theatre in the midst of the pla

front him in such odd relations on this lonely, night-hidden road in Hertfordshire. But a sound that a turn of the wind brought-the sound of Roger Barnet's men riding nearer-sharpened him

nd with horse already half turned so that he might face Barnet's men should they

ot kill your brother. Now, by your favo

e just now, when you said you

the hindrance of the real Sir Valentine; would ride on toward Fleetwood house, be met and questioned by Roger Barnet, and set him right, or at least cause him to send a party back to Fleetwood house to investigate. So Hal's purpose would be speedily fru

he first time, "I do not deny that I am Sir Valentine Fleetwood; but I did not kill your brother. I wi

to her men. "Ye shall

ds drawn, some with clubs upraised; so that his horse, after a few ste

ress Hazlehurst herself was forced against the fence at the roadside, one of her followers-a slender, agile youth-skilfully interposing his horse and body between her and the crush. She would have pressed into t

great swiftness and potency, in all directions, swearing all the while; and finally let off his two pistols, one after the other, at two men who hung with persistence upon Hal's flanks, while Hal was forcing the last opposition in front. One of these two fell wounded or dead, the other was thrown by his maddened horse; and f

ervants, some unhorsed, some with broken heads or pierced bodies, one with a pistol wound in his

ad heard her futile order. He and his two men were

, in a tone of mere comment, void of any f

or as not being Sir Valentine?" asked Hal, calling

kinswoman," was the answer, "and Sir Valentine h

ine better, or knew him well enough to t

else that's like to give occasion for his services. It is a pride of his to know the English papists w

Puritan, to whose side he now rode up. "Is't true she

ose kin. She is now heiress to the Hazlehurst est

e her brother, to fly straight fr

to anger that forced the brawl on Sir Valentine. 'Twas that heathenish quarrelsomeness, some say, that kept Mr. Hazlehurst a bachelor. 'Tis a wonder the evil spirit of wrath in him brought him not sooner

Women are not commonly so active toward pu

she conceiveth to be a blow at herself, the two being of same name and blood. This sister and brother have ever been more quick, one to resent an affront against the other from a third person, than they have been slow to affront each other. I am not wont t

music are angelical, I speak as aptly when I name this Mistress Anne an angel of a woman! It wen

the way for Roger Barnet a w

what is occurring betwixt them." Then lapsing into silence. Hal and his two attendants

lehurst's, and the scene now occurring between th

er escort useless for any immediate pursuit of the supposed Sir Valentine, but the condition of its members required of her, as their mistress and leader, an instant looking to. The necessity of this forbade her own mad impulse to ride unaided after the man who had escaped her, and whom she was the more passionately enraged against be

ne herself sat her horse in the middle of the road, the little fellow, still mounted, at her left hand. Such was the group that caused Barnet and his men to pull up their horses to an abrupt halt. Peering forward, with eyes now habituated to the darkness,

, with two men. Did he keep the roa

d, mean you?" asked Ann

o pass, please y

short black beard; a keeper of his own counsel, a man of the fewest possible words, and those gruffly spoken. Anne, because her mind was workin

ow he dealt with my servants when I trie

igning an answer because, on looking more closel

f Sir Valenti

or his apprehensi

her's death? Hath

if these be your horses

hurst cut short hi

enge for an offence against itself would not, as such, be her revenge for an offence against her family, and would not in itself afford her the triumph she craved; but Sir Valentine was in a way to escape the State's revenge; she might be an instrument to effect his capture; in being that, she would find her own revenge.

ght, then! He went toward Ste

ueen's name, and leave mine in your charge." And he forthwith dismounted, ordering his men to do likewise.

delivered to-night. Madam, know you where Sir Will

the first roa

m about it. Which is your best horse, mistress? And one of your men shall guide me to those gentlemen

r?" said Anne. "Let my man

ey are intended. I shall carry these letters, and catch this traitor. By your leave, I take this horse-and this

Anne, making no protest against the pressing of her horses into the queen's servic

d not trust his men out of his sight, perhaps he wished no one but himself to have the credit of t

ll lose track of Sir Valentine! You will

pidly on, "will not people in farmhouses and villages hear his three horses pass?" Though he

out of hearing," said Anne, "and overtaken, an

ined at the mention of a course so excelle

so! Dickon, look to thy wounded fellows! See them taken home, and show this gentleman the way to Sir William Crashaw's and Mr. Brewby's. Come, Franci

n, in dismay, "you will be robbed

reasons I promise to impede Sir Valentine; to be a burden, a weight, and a chain upon him, holding him back by all means I can devise, till you bear your letters and o'ertake him. Dickon, heed my orders! Follow me. Francis! Ods-daggers, m

comment of Roger Barnet, as he mounted the horse his man Hudsdon had newly saddled. He had seen much