"They must be good, then, though it was a woman brought
tidings of them," said Raoul, smiling grimly at his own wit ; then,
leaving the mews, he demanded to know where this famous falcon-
merchant was to be met withal.
" Why, between the barriers and the inner gate," replied Gillian,
" where other men are admitted that have wares to utter — Where
should he be ? "

"And who let him in?" demanded the suspicious Raoul.
" Why, Master Steward, thou owl ! " said Gillian ; " he came but
now to my chamber, and sent me hither to call you."

" Oh, the steward — the steward— I might have guessed as much.
And he came to thy chamber, doubtless, because he could not have
as easily come hither to me himself. — Was it not so, sweetheart ? "

" I do not know why he chose to come to me rather than to you,
Raoul," said Gillian ; " and if I did know, perhaps I would not tell
you. Go to — miss your bargain, or make your bargain, I care not
which — the man will not wait for you— he has good proffers fronx
the Seneschal of Malpas, and the Welsh Lord of Dinevawr."

" I come-^I come," said Raoul, who felt the necessity of em-
bracing this opportunity of improving his hawking establishment,
and hastened to the gate, where he met the merchant, attended by
a servant, who kept in separate cages the three falcons which he
offered for sale.
