The Robber Baron of Bedford Castle

, and of the castle which succeeded it, no traces remain, but portions of a seventeenth century mansion, now a farm-house, mark its site. The Pateshulles had come into Bedfordshire from Staf

the family of St. John, who

ut a small place, not even fortified, till in 1327, more than a century later, John de Pateshulle obtai

t one end of a central hall were the private apartments of the family, at the other the domestic offices and the rooms of the servants and retainers. In front of the hall was a gate-house, whe

te, a round, white-haired fa

night, springing from his gray mare with

ssume the rotund proportions not inaptly expressed by the nickname by which he was universally known. When he perceived Sir Ralph, his broad countenance lighted up with a grin of satisfaction, which caused his twinkling eyes almos

ter was a page in his uncle Sir William's service, and came often in his train to Bletsoe Manor--"by St. Dunstan

O Dumpling mine," responded Ralph,

is wide mouth to

ng, good

fter all the hard work you have given yours. There has been bad and bloody work at St. Alban's, and fresh foul deeds have been done by yon devil in human form of Bedford. You can h

ession of the utmost gravity, belied by the twinkle of his merry little

oon to dine. I can smell even now the good and savoury odours that arise from the spit. But

with finger on his lips drew him from under the gate-house

arms--bare to their full length, for the long loose sleeves of the period had slipped up to her shoulders--were stretched above her head in order that she might reach her work. Her small, delicate head, which was uncovered, was thrown back as she looked up at the wall, and from it thick masses of brown hair

round. A smile of recognition and a deep flush passed together across her fair face. The next moment she glanced back at the half-open

d her side, so that common courtesy, if no stronger motive, obliged her to remain. The

t is wrong this morning? You seem not glad to see me. Have I frig

lips curled

warrant you could not teach it me, Ralph, either in person or in practice," she added.

news which will perhaps lead your father to look more favourably on my suit," continued

r head with a l

--"say on your news," and her

t continue; there is no fresh news on that score. If you will wed me, dear heart, you will still have to

ed had found its way round Aliva's waist, and did not

s set forth for the north, methinks I am sure of a good post. My uncle's weight and interest have not been utterly lost, though he has been driven from the home of our ancestors. When he begs for a command for a De Beauchamp, the king surely cannot say him nay. And then, when the war is over, when we have taught the Scots a lesson, in a few mo

courteous salutation for her visitor. Yet there he stood, this penniless young knight, by her side, his arm round her waist, and his large gray eyes gazing with devotion and love into her face. Moreover, he was telling her of a soldier's duties; he spoke of war and danger. What could she do?

it was not only maidenly instinct which m

t's marvellous have you been this morning, Ralph? Y

iveness for thus presenting myself, for time brooked no delay. But I bear evil tidings for the ears of a devout da

had ended, pressed her fingers to her eyes, as if

erself. "And it is with one of this family of spoilers of churches and

ck, astonishe

rry jest or in madness. And besides, the scoundrel Fulke has a wife already--that ill-fated Lady Margaret de Ripariis, affianced at one time to my u

ll the sad history of the Lady Margaret, and ofttimes hath he said, more in jest than in earnest I trust, that after all the lady has become

f that unfortunate Lady Margaret. But tell me, I beseech thee, what you

w herself together

name escaped me when you spake of t

rms, the fearful tale of slaughter he had unfolded, which brought back suddenly to her mind, with the mention of the name of De Breauté, the fate that was proposed for her, and which she had well-nigh forgotten in her happiness of f

g at the door which had closed behind he

rve up, and from the gate-house window I see my lord herding his

ter's fat palm, he hastened to fetch his mare from the stable, and mount

oked after him an

, I trow. 'Laugh and grow fat' is my motto, laugh and grow fat! Pl