THE LEGEND OF ROSE ROCHE. 273 



as the first words were, they were distinctly heard by 

 those remotest from the dais.* 



" Noble lords," she said, " I own and thank your 

 courtesy : I ask this holy churchman if I am to exercise 

 free choice in this affair, unshackled with bar, or con- 

 dition, save my own leisure : and if he whom I shall 

 place here," and she pointed to the vacant seat beside 

 her own, which had been reserved for the successful 

 wooer, " shall be supported in all the rights and 

 properties which he shall obtain through me ? " 



" All this," said the Prior, " is fairly stipulated in the 

 intents of this scroll." 



" Then will I not trespass on your patience, noble 

 lords — there stands the object of my choice ; and thus 

 do I install him in this seat, as lord and master of Dhu 

 Castle ! " 



She turned to the astonished minstrel as she spoke, 

 and ere her words were ended, the youth was seated at 

 her side. 



A scene of wonder and wild confusion followed — most 

 of the Barons protested loudly against her choice ; angry 

 looks and threatening gestures were directed at the 

 minstrel, and more than one sword was half unsheathed. 

 O'Connor seemed thunderstruck — and the lady herself 

 was the most collected of the company. 



** How is this, Sir Knights ! " she cried. " Is lordly 

 word and written pledge so lightly held among you, 

 that thus ye violate their sanctity ? Thane of Con- 

 naught," she continued, as she addressed herself to the 

 ** Big Man," — " thy faith was never questioned, and thy 

 word is held to be sacred as a martyr's vow. When the 

 English King, under pain of confiscation, ordered thee 



♦ The place of honour in a Baronial Hall, 



T 



