e she led her horse round the house where she
found the stables in somewhat better condition than she had expected.
After looking after the welfare of the animal she muttered a short
prayer, and entered the dwelling with a bold front.

The door gave entrance into a large, low ceiled room whose rafters were
grimed with smoke and dirt. A low bed stood in one corner of the room; a
small deal table and three chairs completed the simple furnishings, but
the girl's eyes were caught by the strings of herbs that depended from
the walls, and the cabalistic signs that were everywhere in evidence. A
fire burned on the hearth and over it, depending from a crane, hung a
large kettle in which something savory was brewing.

A black cat which had been stretched near the fire rose at her entrance,
and spat as if he resented the intrusion as well as his mistress.
Francis glanced at the mysterious signs, the black cat, the old woman,
and a half wish came into her mind that she had braved the fury of the
storm rather than enter such an abode. As if in answer to her thought the
dame spoke:

"Draw nigh the fire, boy, and dry thy wet garments. Marry! hearest thou
the rain? Even the dwelling of a witch, I trow, is better than to be out
in't. Hark!"

The storm had redoubled its fury. The wind shrieked and howled as though
a thousand demons were loosed from durance and were exulting in their
freedom. The rain came down in sheets, while peal on peal of thunder
crashed and rolled. Francis shuddered and drew nearer the fire. The steam
arose from her saturated garments, and rendered her uncomfortable. The
old woman noticed her discomfort and said not unkindly:

"Boy, no garments have I of thy sex, but if thou wilt play the woman for
the nonce thou canst have of mine apparel until thine own be dried."

For the first time since she had left the court Francis laughed. She
flushed rosy red under the old woman's glance, and then grew bewildered
and confused at her continued scrutiny, and answered with an effort at
self-command.

"I thank you, my good dame, but I will stay as I am an it please you."

"Content yourself,--master," answered the dame with the slightest
hesitation before the word. "'Twas but to soften thy distress."

She spoke no more, but busied herself about the brew over the fire.
Presently she placed some of the stew before the girl, saying,

"Eat, sir. Thou wilt find it to thy liking, I trow."

"It is in sooth," replied Franci