king into spring life. In
the trees above his head the thrushes and chaffinches were singing; and
just before him, diminished to a mere speck in the boundless blue, a
lark poured forth his "flood of delirious music." The Dominican paused
and rested on his staff while he listened.

"Sing, happy birds!" he said, when at length the lark's song was over,
and the bird had come down to earth again. "For you there are no vain
regrets over yesterday, no woeful anticipations of to-morrow. But what
kind of song can _she_ sing when she hath heard the news I bring her?"

"Father Guy!" said a voice beside him.

It was a child of ten years old who stood in his path--a copy of Elaine
four years before.

"Ah, maid, art thou there?" answered Guy. "Run on, Annora, and say to
the Grey Lady that I will be at her cell in less than an hour. Thy feet
are swifter than mine."

Annora ran blithely forward. Guy of Ashridge pursued his weary road,
for he was manifestly very weary. At length he rather suddenly halted,
and sat down on a bank where primroses grew by the way-side.

"I can go no further without resting," said he. "Ten is one thing, and
threescore and ten is another. If I could turn back and go no
further!--Is the child here again already?"

"Father Guy," said Annora, running up and throwing herself down on the
primrose bank, "I have been to the cell, but I have not given your
message."

"Is the Lady not there?" asked Guy, a sudden feeling of relief coming
over him.

"Oh yes, she is there," replied the child; "but she was kneeling at
prayer, and I thought you would not have me disturb her."

"Right," answered the monk. "But lest she should leave the cell ere I
reach it, go back, Annora, and keep watch. Tell her, if she come forth,
that I must speak with her to-day."

Once more away fled the light-footed Annora, and Guy, rising, resumed
his journey.

"If it must be, it may as well be now," he said to himself, with a sigh.

So, plodding and resting by turns, he at length arrived at the door of
the cell. The door was closed, and the child sat on the step before it,
singing softly to herself, and playing with a lapful of wild flowers--
just as her sister had been doing when Philippa Sergeaux first made her
acquaintance.

"Is she come forth yet?" asked Guy.

Annora shook her flaxen curls. Guy went to the little window, and
glanced within. The grey figure was plainly visible, kneeling in
prayer, with the hea