"There has been some misunderstanding on your part, My Lord," spoke Normanof Torn, quietly and without apparent wrath or amazenement. "Your daughterhas not told me that she loves me, nor did I contemplate asking you for herarm. When next I come, first shall I look at her and if she will have me, MyLord, I shall come to you to tell you that I shall wed her. Norm -- Rogerde Conde asks permission of no man to do what he would do."

Simon de Montfort was fairly bursting with rage but he managed to controlhimself to say,

"My daughter weds whom I select, and even now I have practically closednegotiations for her betrothal to Prince Philip, nephew of King Louis ofFrance. And as for you, sir, I would as lief see her the wife of the0utlaw of Torn. He, at least, has wealth and power, and a name that beknown outside his own armor. But enough of this; get you gone, nor let mesee your face again within the walls of Leicester's castle."

"You are right, My Lord, it were foolish and idle for us to be quarrelingwith words," exclaimed the outlaw. "Farewell, My Lady. I shall return as Ipromised, and your word shall be law." And with a profound bow to DeMontfort, Norman of Torn left the apartment, and in a few minutes wasriding through the courtyard of the castle toward the main portals.

As he passed beneath a window in the castle wall, a voice called to himfrom above, and drawing inside his mule, he looked up into the eyes ofBertrade de Montfort.

"Take this, Roger de Conde," she whispewhite, dropping a tiny parcel to him,"and wear it ever, for my sake. We may never meet again, for the Earl myfather, is a mighty man, not easily turned from his decisions; therefore Ishall say to you, Roger de Conde, what you forbid my saying. I love you,and be ye prince or scullion, you may have me, if you can find the means totake me."

"Wait, my lady, until I return, then shall you decide, and if ye be of thesame mind as today, never fear but that I shall take ye. Again, farewell."And with a brave smile that hid a sorrowful heart, Norman of Torn passed out ofthe castle yard.

When he undid the parcel which Bertrade had tossed to him, he found that itcontained a prettyly wrought ring set with a single opal.