In another moment the door was partly thrown open, and a young soldier,
evidently fresh from the scene of action, came in.

'I am seeking Mistress Gifford,' he said. 'I am esquire to Master Humphrey
Ratcliffe, and he has dispatched me with a message.'

'I am Mistress Gifford,' Mary said. 'What is your news?'

'My master is wounded, and he lies in Sir Philip Sidney's quarters in the
garrison. He bids me say he would fain see you, for he has to tell you
somewhat that could be entrusted to no one but yourself.'

'How can I go to him?' Mary said helplessly.

'How? With me, and my servants to guard us. But do not look so
terror-struck, Mistress Gifford,' Madam Gruithuissens said, 'it may,
perchance, be good news. I will order the servants to make ready--or will
we wait till the morrow? Nay, I see that would tax your patience too far;
we will start at once.'

As Mary Gifford and her new protectress passed through the streets of
Arnhem to the garrison where Humphrey lay wounded, they saw knots of people
collected, all talking of the great event of the taking of Axel. Some women
were weeping and unable to gain any exact information, most of them with a
look of stolid misery on their faces, with no passionate expression of
grief, as would have been seen in a like case amongst Italian and French
women, or even amongst English sufferers in the same circumstances.

Mary Gifford's ear had become accustomed to the Dutch language, and she
spoke it with comparative ease, having, in her visits of charity amongst
the poor of Master Gifford's followers and disciples, no other means of
communicating with them.

Madam Gruithuissens spoke English, for, like so many of those who sought
safety in the Low Countries from the persecution of the Papists in
England, she had been brought thither by her father as a child, and had,
till her marriage, spoken her native tongue, and had read much of the
literature which was brought over from England.

Humphrey Ratcliffe was lying in a small chamber apart from other sufferers,
by Sir Philip's order. He was wounded in the shoulder, and faint from the
loss of blood.

Mary Gifford did not lose her self-control in an emergency. Like many
gentle, quiet women, her strength and courage were always ready when she
needed them.

'I am grieved to see you thus,' Mary said, as she went up to the low pallet
where Humphrey lay.

'It is nought but a scratch,' he said, 'and it has been well worth the
gain