`` My mind misgiveth me for Jack , '' said the lad . `` For Jack ! '' repeated Duckworth . `` O , I see , for the wench ! Nay , Dick , I promise you , if there come talk of any marriage we shall act at once ; till then , or till the time is ripe , we shall all disappear , even like shadows at morning ; Sir Daniel shall look east and west , and see none enemies ; he shall think , by the mass , that he hath dreamed awhile , and hath now awakened in his bed . But our four eyes , Dick , shall follow him right close , and our four hands -- so help us all the army of the saints ! -- shall bring that traitor low ! '' Two days later Sir Daniel 's garrison had grown to such a strength that he ventured on a sally , and at the head of some two score horsemen , pushed without opposition as far as Tunstall hamlet . Not an arrow flew , not a man stirred in the thicket ; the bridge was no longer guarded , but stood open to all corners ; and as Sir Daniel crossed it , he saw the villagers looking timidly from their doors . Presently one of them , taking heart of grace , came forward , and with the lowliest salutations , presented a letter to the knight . His face darkened as he read the contents . It ran thus : To the most untrue and cruel gentylman , Sir Daniel Brackley , Knyght , These : I fynde ye were untrue and unkynd fro the first . Ye have my father 's blood upon your hands ; let be , it will not wasshe . Some day ye shall perish by my procurement , so much I let you to wytte ; and I let you to wytte farther , that if ye seek to wed to any other the gentylwoman , Mistresse Joan Sedley , whom that I am bound upon a great oath to wed myself , the blow will be very swift . The first step therinne will be thy first step to the grave . RIC . SHELTON . BOOK III -- MY LORD FOXHAM CHAPTER I -- THE HOUSE BY THE SHORE Months had passed away since Richard Shelton made his escape from the hands of his guardian . These months had been eventful for England . The party of Lancaster , which was then in the very article of death , had once more raised its head .
The Yorkists defeated and dispersed , their leader butchered on the field , it seemed , -- for a very brief season in the winter following upon the events already recorded , as if the House of XXXXX had finally triumphed over its foes .
Daniel Dick England Lancaster Months RIC gentylwoman misgiveth morning wench