, and with admiring eyes!

How long Lucy might have indulged in these thoughts it is impossible to
say, had she not been suddenly conscious that she was not alone.

Stealthy footsteps were heard approaching from behind, and, turning her
head, she saw a tall man, wearing a long cloak, much the worse for wear,
and a hat, with neither band nor feather, pulled down over his eyes.

Lucy started, and jumped from the stile, her heart beating violently, and
her face, which a few moments before had been radiant with pleasure, pale
and frightened.

'Whither away, little maiden; why so scared?' the man said. 'I mean no
harm. See!' he said, taking a rosary from under his cloak, 'see, I kiss the
blessed cross, in token that you need not fear. I am a poor Catholic,
hiding from persecutors, wandering about and living in dens and caves of
the earth.'

Lucy had, in her short life, heard nothing but condemnation of Papists.
When she thought of them at all, it was with horror, and her knees trembled
under her, and her voice was scarcely audible as she said,--

'Prithee, sir, suffer me to pass.'

'On one condition. You know a house called Ford Place?'

'Ay, sir, I do; and I will run back thither and--'

'You will _not_ do so, little maiden; you will tell me how it fares with a
gentlewoman there, called Mary Gifford?'

'She is well, sir; she is--'

'Hearken! She has a boy named Ambrose. I would fain see him. Bring him
hither to me, and I will call on all the saints to bless you. Our Lady
shall watch over you and grant you your heart's desire.'

'I cannot do it, sir; I dare not! Let me pass. If you would fain see the
boy, go to the house.'

'And be seized and taken off before the grand folk down yonder and
imprisoned, and, it may be, tortured. Hearken,' he went on, bringing his
face unpleasantly near Lucy's, 'hearken, I can call down blessings on you,
but I can call down bitter curses also. Your heart's desire shall be denied
you, you shall eat the bread of affliction and drink the water of tears,
if you betray me. If you keep my secret, and let me see that boy, blessings
shall be showered on you; choose now.'

Poor Lucy was but a child, she had scarcely counted out sixteen years. This
strange man, with his keen dark eyes gleaming under the black cap and
looking as if they read her very soul, seemed to get her into his power.
She was faint with terror, and looked round in vain for help, for some one
to come who would deliver