they had disappeared, and then she returned to the house with Mary,
like the child, too happy to speak. They reached the house together, and
were met by Mrs Forrester.

She had heard of Mr Sidney's visit, and had hastened upstairs to exchange
her coarse homespun for a gown of grey taffeta and a kirtle of the same
colour; a large white cap or hood was set a little awry on her thin, grey
hair.

'You might have had the grace to ask Mr Sidney to step in,' she said
sharply to Mary Gifford. 'It is ill manners to stand chaffering outside
when the mistress of a house would fain offer a cup of mead to her guest.
But I never look for aught but uncivil conduct from either of you. What are
you pranked out for like this?' she asked, addressing Lucy.

'I am going to sup with Mistress Ratcliffe. You needn't look so cross. I
sha'n't trouble you long. I am going to Court with my Lady Pembroke, and I
may never darken your doors again.'

'You'll get into mischief like your sister before you, I'll warrant, and if
you do, don't come back here, for I'll shut the door in your face, as sure
as my name is Anne Forrester.'

'Have no fear,' Lucy said. 'I am away now by the path across the hills.'

'Nay, Lucy!' Mary exclaimed. 'Nay, by the highway is best. The hill path is
lonesome. Stay, Lucy.'

But Lucy was gone, and Mary, looking after her retreating figure, could not
gainsay Mistress Forrester, as she said,--

'Wilful, headstrong little baggage, she will rue her behaviour some fine
day, as you have done.'

'Mother,' Mary Gifford said, in a troubled voice, 'do not be for ever
reproaching me in the hearing of others, it is cruel. It may be better for
you and for me if I leave my father's house, and seek some humble refuge
with my boy.'

But this did not suit Mistress Forrester's views. Mary Gifford was far too
useful to her. She could write, and manage the accounts of the farm; she
could, by a few calm words, effect more with lazy or careless serving men
and maids than their mistress did by scolding and reproofs, often
accompanied with a box on the ear or a sharp blow across the shoulder to
enforce what she said.

It would not answer Mistress Forrester's purpose to let Mary Gifford go, so
she said,--

'Hoity, toity! don't talk like that. It's folly to say you will leave a
good home when you have no home to go to. Bide here, and let bygones be
bygones. I am ready to be friendly if you'll let me. I must away now to see
about the two