now, going down the path. So he will not trouble us any
more to-night. And now darling, kneel down and say your prayers, and then
we will go to bed."

So Nellie, reassured by the news that her mother was going to bed, too,
knelt down as she had done every night during the eleven years of her
life, and clasped her hands together, beneath her mother's. Then she
cleared her throat, then she glanced at the clock, then she looked for
one moment into the sweet serious violet eyes that looked down on her so
lovingly, and then at last she bent her lovely little head and began to
say her prayers, there, by the fire, at her mother's knees, while angry
storm howled fiercely without and shook the closed panes and shutters
and occasional drops of rain, falling down the short chimney, sputtered
in the smouldering coal fire.

"Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom
come--"

Nellie gave a loud scream and springing up from her knees flung her arms
around her mother's neck, in uttermost, wildest terror.

"Mamma, mamma!" she cried looking, and yet hardly daring to look, back
towards the closed window. "It called 'MARY GODDARD'! It is you, mamma!
Oh!"

There was no mistaking it this time. While Nellie was saying her prayer
there had come three sharp and distinct raps upon the wooden shutter, and
a voice, not loud but clear, penetrating into the room in spite of wind
and storm and rain.

"Mary Goddard! Mary Goddard!" it said.

Mrs. Goddard started to her feet, lifting Nellie bodily from the ground
in her agony of terror; staring round the room wildly as though in search
of some possible escape.

"I must come in! I will come in!" said the voice again.

"Oh don't let him in! Mamma! Don't let him in!" moaned the terrified
child upon her breast, clinging to her and weighing her down, and
grasping her neck and arm with convulsive strength.

But in moments of great agitation timid people, or people who are thought
timid, not uncommonly do brave things. Mrs. Goddard unclasped Nellie's
hold and forced the terror-struck child into a deep chair.

"Stay there, darling," she said with unnatural calmness. "Do not be
afraid. I will go and open the door."

Nellie was now too much frightened to resist. Mrs. Goddard went out into
the little passage which was dimly lighted by a hanging lamp, and closed
the door of the drawing-room behind her. She could hear Nellie's
occasional convulsive sobs distinctly. For one mome