"
"But, my father," persisted the gentle-hearted girl, "spear and
banner are not lions' jaws. And surely you may not in honor
permit the wilful murder of a hostage."
"Nay, madam, have no fear," the Lord of Arkell said, bending in
courteous recognition of her interest; "that which I do of mine
own free will is no murder, even should it fail."
And he hastened from the hall.
A raised gallery looked down into the spacious inclosure in which
Count William kept the living specimens of his own princely badge
of the lion. And here the company gathered to see the sport.
With the gray gabardine drawn but loosely over his silken suit,
so that he might, if need be, easily slip from it, Otto von
Arkell boldly entered the inclosure.
"Soho, Juno! up, Hercules; hollo, up, Ajax!" cried Count William,
from the balcony. "Here cometh a right royal playfellow--up, up,
my beauties!" and the great brutes, roused by the voice of their
master, pulled themselves up, shook themselves awake, and stared
at the intruder.
Boldly and without hesitation, while all the watchers had eyes
but for him alone, the young Lord of Arkell walked straight up to
Hercules, the largest of the three, and laid his hand caressingly
upon the shaggy mane.
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