The charms that proved his undoing
were fatal to her also, for in a fit of jealousy he slew her. The remorse
occasioned by this deed made him destroy himself."
"Well, your version of the legend may be the correct one, for aught I
know, worthy sir," said Cutbeard; "but I see not that it accounts for
Herne's antlers so well as mine, unless he were wedded to the nun, who
you say played him false. But how came you to know she resembled
Mabel Lyndwood?"
"Ay, I was thinking of that myself," said Simon Quanden. "How do you
know that, master?"
"Because I have seen her picture," replied the tall archer.
"Painted by Satan's chief limner, I suppose? " rejoined Cutbeard.
"He who painted it had seen her," replied the tall archer sternly. "But,
as I have said, it was the very image of this damsel."
And as he uttered the words, he quitted the kitchen.
"Who is that archer?" demanded Cutbeard, looking after him. But no
one could answer the question, nor could any one tell when he had
entered the kitchen.
"Strange!" exclaimed Simon Quanden, crossing himself. "Have you ever
seen him before, Mabel?"
"I almost think I have," she replied, with a slight shudder.
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