s.'"

"Did He say that, now, dearie?" asked the voice of the White Witch.
"Eh, it sounds good--it does so! I'm burdened, saints knows; I'd like
to find a bit o' rest and refreshing. Life's a heavy burden, and sin's
a heavier; and there's a many things I see are sins now, that I never
did afore you came. But how am I to know that He's willing?"

"Won't you come and see, Mother?" said Ermine softly.

"Husht! Bide a bit, my dear: there's a little sound at the door as I
don't rightly understand. Maybe--"

In another moment the wicket opened, and Haldane's face looked out upon
Stephen.

"Good evening, Mother!" said Stephen, holding up the ball of grey wool.

"Ay, you got it, did you? Come in--you're welcome."

"I hope I am," replied Stephen, going forward. Ermine was no longer
hidden behind the screen, but seated on the form in the chimney-corner.
On her calm fair brow there was no scar visible.

"Ay, ain't she a fine cure!" cried the old woman. "That's white
mallows, that is, and just a pinch of--Well, I'd best tell no tales.
But she's a grand cure; I don't hide her up now. Nobody'd ever guess
nought, from the look of her, now, would folks? What think you?"

"No, I hope they wouldn't," answered Stephen: "leastwise they sha'n't if
I can help it."

Haldane laid her hand on his arm impressively.

"Stephen, you must take her away."

"I'll take her fast enough, if she'll go, Mother; but why? I reckoned
she was as safe here as she could be anywhere."

"She _was_," said Haldane significantly. "She won't be, presently. I
don't tell my secrets: but the Wise Woman knows a thing or two. You'd
best take her, and waste no time: but it must not be to Oxford. There's
folks there would know her face."

"Ay, to be sure there are. Well, Mother, I'll do your bidding.
Where'll she be safest?"

"You'd best be in London. It's the biggest place. And when a man wants
to hide, he'll do it better in a large town than a little place, where
every body knows his neighbour's business."

"All right!" said Stephen. "Ermine!"--and he went up to her--"will you
go with me?"

Ermine lived in an age when it was a most extraordinary occurrence for a
woman to have any power to dispose of herself in marriage, and such a
thing was almost regarded as unnatural and improper. She held out her
hand to Stephen.

"I will go where the Lord sends me," she said simply. "Dear Mother
Haldane saved my life, and she has more right to