ed to Roger
himself.
"But to you, Mr Hall," she said, "how can I give thanks, or in what
words clothe them? Verily, I am bankrupt therein, and can only thank
you to say I know not how."
"Dear mistress," answered Roger, "have you forgot that 'tis I owe thanks
to you, that you seek to magnify my simple act into so great deserving?
They that of their kindness cheer my little suffering Christie's lonely
life, deserve all the good that I can render them. My little maid
prayed me to say unto you both that she sent you her right loving
commendations, and that she would pray for your safe journey every day
the whilst it should last, and for your safety and good weal afterward.
She should miss you both sorely, quoth she; but she would pray God to
bless you, and would strive to her utmost to abide by all your good and
kindly counsel given unto her."
"Dear little Christie!" said Pandora affectionately. "I pray you,
Master Hall, tell her I shall never forget her, and I trust God may
grant us to meet again in peace."
"I cast no doubt of that, Mistress Pandora," was the grave answer,
"though 'twill be, very like, in a better land than this."
"And I do hope," added she, "that Mistress Benden may ere long be set
free."
Roger shook his head.
"I have given up that hope," he said; "yea, well-nigh all hopes, for
this lower world."
"There is alway hope where God is," said Mrs Collenwood.
"Truth, my mistress," he replied; "but God is in Heaven, and hope is
safest there."
It was nearly eleven o'clock in the morning when the travellers set out
from the Nun's Head. Roger Hall stood in the doorway, looking after
them, until the last glimpse could no longer be perceived. Then, with a
sigh, he turned to Tom Hartley, who stood beside him.
"Come, Tom!" he said, "let us, thou and I, go home and do God's will."
"Ay, master, and let God do His will with us," was the cheery answer.
Then the two men and the donkey set out for Cranbrook.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
CAT AND MOUSE.
It was Mr Roberts's custom to go down to the cloth-works every
Tuesday--saints' days excepted--and in pursuance of this habit he made
his appearance in the counting-house on the morning after the departure
of the two ladies. Roger Hall was at his post as usual, waited on his
master, gave in his accounts, and received his orders. When the other
business was over, Roger said, in the same tone and manner as before--
"Those two parcels of
|