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There are two seasons of color in those parts: the yellohen the country-side is flaorse-blosso with the heather So it was now Nigel looked back fro the narrow track where the ferns and the ling brushed his feet on either side, and as he looked it seeht he would never see a fairer scene than that of his own hoht, rolled billow after billow of ruddy heather land, until they ed into the dark shadows of Woolreen of the Butser chalk downs Never in his life had Nigel wandered far beyond these limits, and the woodlands, the down and the heather were dear to his soul It gave hi in his heart now as he turned his face away from them; but if horeat world of adventure, the noble stage where each of his kinsmen in turn had played his manly part and left a proud naed for this day! And now it had come with no shadow cast behind it Da's protection The old servants had their future assured The strife with the ed He had a noble horse under him, the best of weapons, and a stout follower at his back Above all he was bound on a gallant errand with the bravest knight in England as his leader All these thoughts surged together in his , as he rode, out of the joy of his heart, while Pommers sidled and curveted in sy back, he saw from Aylward's downcast eyes and Puckered brow that the archer was clouded with trouble He reined his horse to let him come abreast of hiland you and I should be the , since we ride forith all hopes of honorable advancement By Saint Paul! ere we see these heather hills once more we shall either worshipfully orship, or we shall venture our persons in the attehts, and why should you be downcast?"

Aylward shrugged his broad shoulders, and a wry sed face "I a," said he "It is the nature of a man that he should be sad when he leaves the woman he loves"