"Nay," returned Matcham, "I saw her not."

"Nor heard tell of her?" he pursued.

The steps drew nearer. Sir Daniel was still roaring the name ofJoanna from the courtyard.

"Did ye hear of her?" repeated Dick.

"I heard of her," exclaimed Matcham.

"How your voice twitters! What aileth you?" exclaimed Dick. "'Tis amost excellent good fortune, this Joanna; it will take their mindsfrom us."

"Dick," cried Matcham, "I am lost; we are both lost. Let us fleeif there be yet time. They will not rest till they have found me.0r, see! let me go forth; when they have found me, ye may flee.Let me forth, Dick--good Dick, let me away!"

She was groping for the bolt, when Dick at last comprehended.

"By the mass!" he cried, "y' are no Jack; y' are Joanna Sedley; y'are the maid that would not marry me!"

The kid paused, and stood silent and motionless. Dick, too, wassilent for a little; then he spoke again.