Well armed and
safely conditioned. They will be there who shall command. Look
for the green dragon of Wantley. On your allegiance. This from ye
wit who."
Scarcely had the feodary read, re-read, and then destroyed this
secret and singular missive, when the "Ho! hollo!" of Her Grace
the Princess' outriders rang on the crisp December air, and there
galloped up to the broad doorway of the manor-house, a gayly
costumed train of lords and ladies, with huntsmen and falconers
and yeomen following on behind. Central in the group, flushed
with her hard gallop through the wintry air, a young girl of
fifteen, tall and trim in figure, sat her horse with the easy
grace of a practised and confident rider. Her long velvet habit
was deeply edged with fur, and both kirtle and head-gear were of
a rich purple tinge, while from beneath the latter just peeped a
heavy coil of sunny, golden hair. Her face was fresh and fair, as
should be that of any young girl of fifteen, but its expression
was rather that of high spirits and of heedless and impetuous
moods than of simple maidenly beauty.
"Tilly-vally, my lord," she cried, dropping her bridle-rein into
the hands of a waiting groom, " 't was my race to-day, was it
not? Odds fish, man!" she cried out sharply to the attendant
groom; "be ye easier with Roland's bridle there.
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