While the lively girl was speaking, the rest of the party, including Lord Robert and Kate, approached and joined in welcoming him.
"My brave Meredith," said Lester, frankly extending his hand, "you deserve a better career than that before you. Henceforth let us be friends."
The hand of the young noble was received without embarrassment and with a native dignity of manner by the humble youth, that, to all present, atoned for his want of high birth; while he said, with a firm yet respectful tone,
"We may not be enemies, but we can never be friends, Lord Robert: friendship between the high and low is but another name for dependance to the latter."
"I fear you speak too truly, Mark," said Kate, who had congratulated him on his escape with an honest warmth and sincerity of manner that sent the blood like lightning to his brows.
"Not in my case, brave Mark," said the noble, earnestly; "I will become your patron and--"
"And is there patronage without dependance, my lord?" he asked, in a quiet tone.
"Well, well," said Lester, colouring, "have it your own way. You have pride enough for Lucifer!"
"But not enough for a noble," said the other, with a very slight curl of the lip.
"Mark Meredith," said Kate, reprovingly, "you forget your station. A proper degree of pride is the secret of independence. Perhaps you have too much. Lord Robert is sincere, and means well by you."
"Believe her, Mark," said Grace Fitzgerald, with playful raillery; "nobody ought to know so well what Lord Robert means as my cousin Kate."
"Stop your saucy tongue, Grace," said the maiden, placing a finger on her bright lips. "What will you now do, Mark, with this bird, that has cost us, through your thoughtlessness, so much anxiety and suffering?"
"And betrayed a secret that was not quite a secret before," said the mischievous Grace.
"Grace, prithee hist!" cried Kate, with a spice of asperity.
"Give me the bird, peasant!" said Lester, in a tone of authority. "I will nail it on the door of the lodge at Castle More, in honour of the fair archer who shot it."
"Here is the gentle owner," replied the youth, turning towards Kate Bellamont; and gracefully kneeling as he spoke, he gallantly laid the bird at her feet, saying,
"Gentle archeress, deign to accept--it is the only boon I crave for my peril--this trophy of thy skill. I have obtained it for thee at the risk of life and limb, valuing neither, so that I might do thee a service, and save what I know thou wilt be proud to preserve in remembrance of this day."