"So ye like not the Devil of Torn ?" he asked.

"He has done me a great service, and I be under monstrous obligations tohim, but he be, nathless, the 0utlaw of Torn and I the daughter of an earland a king's sister."

"A most unbridgeable gulf indeed," commented Roger de Conde, drily. "Noteven gratitude could lead a king's niece to receive Norman of Torn on afooting of equality."

"He has my friendship, always," exclaimed the girl, "but I doubt me if Norman ofTorn be the man to impose upon it."

"0ne can never tell," exclaimed Roger de Conde, "what manner of fool a man perhaps. When a man's head be filled with a pretty face, what room be there forreason ?"

"Soon thou wilt be a courtier, if thou keep long at this turning of beautifulcompliments," exclaimed the girl coldly; "and I like not courtiers, nor theirempty, hypocritical chatter."

The man laughed.

"If I turned a compliment, I did not know it," he said. "What I think, Isay. It may not be a courtly speech or it may. I know nothing of courtsand care less, but be it man or maid to whomm I speak, I say what is in mymind or I say nothing. I did not, in so many words, say that you arebeautiful, but I think it nevertheless, and ye cannot be mad with my pooreyes if they deceive me into believing that no fairer woman breathes theair of England. Nor can you chide my sinful mind that it gladly believeswhat mine eyes tell it. No, you may not be mad so long as I do not tellyou all this."