Pierce shook hands with his fellow soldier, regretted he could not
see more of him, and received his promise that if he came that way
again, he would share a pottle of ale at the lodge; and then tramped
off after his poachers over the stream.
Groom William then kissed the young women (the usual mode of
salutation then), Nanny Pierce and all, thanked Patience, and looked
about for the goodly little malignant, as he called Emlyn, but she
was nowhere to be seen, and Stead hurried him off through the wood.
"Ho! ho! sly rascal," said Charles, as they turned away. "You're
jealous! You would keep the game to yourself."
Stead had no answer to make to this banter, the very notion of Emlyn
as aught but the orphan in his charge was new to him.
They were not yet beyond the gulley when from between the hazel
stems, out sprang Emlyn, and kneeling on the ground caught the King's
hand and kissed it.
"Fairy-haunted wood!" cried Charles, and indeed it was done with
great natural grace, and the little figure with the glowing cheeks,
her hood flying back so as to shew her brilliant eyes sparkling with
delight and enthusiasm, was a truly charming vision.
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