."

The stranger did so.

"Now," Barbara called to him, "wait a little, and I will bring you
food."

She replaced the picture, and sought the kitchen, soon returning with
the remains of a pasty and a flask of Rhenish, which, after again
touching the spring, she handed up to her guest. He took them, and
disappeared into the passage, whither, with the assistance of a chair
and a scramble, Barbara followed him.

The room was a minute but very complete retreat. A little bed stood in
the corner, and by its side a tiny table and chair, on which were
writing materials.

"To-morrow, sir," said Barbara, "I will come and inquire after you. You
want sleep now. I wish you good rest and good fortune." And, so saying,
she left him.

GODFREY FAIRFAX PAUSED AGAIN. "WELL," SHE SAID, "DO YOU STILL LIKE IT?"

"VERY MUCH," SAID JANET.

"IT'S VERY EXCITING," SAID MARY.

"I LIKE THE HIDING-PLACE," SAID GREGORY.

"WE'VE JUST SEEN ONE AT SALFORD HALL--ONLY THAT WAS FOR PRIESTS--INSIDE
A CHINA CUPBOARD. I GOT IN IT. THE PICTURE'S MUCH BETTER."

"DO YOU LIKE IT?" MISS REDSTONE SAID TO ROBERT.

"PRETTY WELL," HE ANSWERED; AND THEY ALL LAUGHED.

"DON'T LAUGH," SAID MISS REDSTONE; "THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF REMARK I
WANT. NOW TAKE SOME MORE CAKE, ALL OF YOU, AND I WILL GO ON."

Barbara awoke almost with the birds, after two or three hours of fitful
sleep, and with a rush came the memory of last night's events. Her
first thought was for the quick and safe departure of the stranger, and
weariness of head told her it was time to seek advice.

"Oh, if father were here!" was the burden of her thoughts. But he was
far away, and the immediate question was whom to ask for help. She
ticked off the neighbouring gentlemen, and decided against them one by
one. Old Digger was useless. Matthew Hale was sound, but stupid.
Everything pointed to her brother Philip.

No sooner had she made up her mind than Barbara turned to her
writing-table and penned a laborious letter to the Rev. Jeremy. Poor
Barbara! Spelling was not her strongest point, nor, indeed, did anyone
then mind whether spelling was good or bad. She wrote as follows:

DEARE AND REVEREND SIR,

"My father has riden to London and I would faine not be without manlie
companie in so grate an house (olde Digger being worthie and trustie
but a lyttel deaf and stiffe). Therefor I pray you let me have my
brother Philip and his friends for this daye that I may be more at mine
ease.

"Yo