in regard to it." Then, with a final suspicious look at the contents of the room, the soldier who had never before been so near to the haunts of an astrologer, retired to report its wonderful mysteries to his comrades.
The Friar put his hood over his head, and went to join Lord Edgar, whom he found in consultation with Hugh upon the ramparts. The young lord seemed greatly troubled, and was gazing with knitted browns upon the strip of parchment held in his hand. When the Friar arrived, Edgar asked him to be seated until the arrival of Lady Mortimer, whom also he had sent for, and meanwhile handed the Franciscan the scroll.
Glancing at the signature, although the soldier had told him the message was from the Count, the Friar read the words which Luke had written:
"The Count de Ferrers, now besieging you, and so far successful in his attack as to render further resistance upon your part merely a cause of useless bloodshed, has hitherto declared that he would not grant quarter to any of the garrison when the castle falls into his hands. But the Count has not meant these terms to apply to others than the combatants, or those actively aiding in the defense, such as that dastardly minstrel-friar, who shall
