t
full speed, in the dark. A wild mood was on her, reaction from the
prolonged agony of apprehension. There was little which she would not
have done just then.

The gale whistled round her and now and again she shouted with pure joy.
It seemed as if God Himself had answered her prayer and given her the
returning life!

By the time she had reached the Castle the wild ride had done its
soothing work. She was calm again, comparatively; her wits and feelings
were her own.

There was plenty to keep her occupied, mind and body. The train of
persons saved from the wreck were arriving in all sorts of vehicles, and
as clothes had to be found for them as well as food and shelter there was
no end to the exertions necessary. She felt as though the world were not
wide enough for the welcome she wished to extend. Its exercise was a
sort of reward of her exertions; a thank-offering for the response to her
prayer. She moved amongst her guests, forgetful of herself; of her
strange attire; of the state of dishevelment and grime in which she was,
the result of the storm, her long ride over rough ground with its share
of marshes and pools, and the smoke from the bonfire and the blazing
house. The strangers wondered at first, till they came to understand
that she was the Lady Bountiful who had stretched her helpful hands to
them. Those who could, made themselves useful with the new batches of
arrivals. The whole Castle was lit from cellar to tower. The kitchens
were making lordly provision, the servants were carrying piles of clothes
of all sorts, and helping to fit those who came still wet from their
passage through or over the heavy sea.

In the general disposition of chambers Stephen ordered to be set apart
for the rescued swimmer the Royal Chamber where Queen Elizabeth had lain;
and for Mr. Hepburn that which had been occupied by the Second George.
She had a sort of idea that the stranger was God's guest who was coming
to her house; and that nothing could be too good for him. As she waited
for his coming, even though she swept to and fro in her ministrations to
others, she felt as though she trod on air. Some great weight seemed to
have been removed from her. Her soul was free again!

At last the rocket-cart arrived, and with it many horsemen and such men
and women as could run across country with equal speed to the horses
labouring by the longer road.

The rescued man was still senseless, but that alone did not see