ust.'

He came out and closed the door, keeping his hand upon it while she told.

'I cannot come. Go, say I cannot come; I will not!' and desperately
impatient his hand beat upon the door.

'You must,' she said, and her white face and shaking voice went far to
convince him. 'I think you must. O Christian, don't you know why they
come?'

He looked at her blankly.

'To ask after Philip.'

His face burned red, and he stood dumfoundered.

'You know? From my mother?'

'Yes,' she said. 'No,' she said. 'I thought that first, and told her. Oh!
why did she not tell you all when she would not let me confess? Yes, I
thought that, and O wretch that I was! I thought no blame either. Now
hate me, and never forgive me.'

He also said, 'I have nothing to forgive'; and half audibly he groaned,
'Ah, Christ! is there no forgiveness of sins?'

Footsteps made them turn to see two rounding the linhay; and again,
footsteps behind brought two after Rhoda, impatient of delay. None of the
four from that moment judged Christian to be innocent, nor Rhoda wholly
ignorant: their looks so bespoke guilt and apprehension.

Some touch of resentment at the intolerant intrusion set Christian's head
high, and his eyes were not to be daunted as he measured each for
strength of will and strength of body. He knew them for the pick of
Philip's kin; all were of the League.

'Say why you come,' said Christian.

'Bid me stay,' whispered Rhoda, though she saw that her presence hindered
a ready answer; but Christian bade her go, and reluctantly she withdrew.

Out of earshot she went, but no further than to the gate. There she
leaned, and tried to keep her face averted, but against resolution now
and then her head would turn to better her heart. Uncloaked, in the cold
she shivered, and from apprehension.

'Concerning our kinsman Philip,' began the eldest.

His colour went and came for witness against him.

'Speak low,' he said, glancing at a near window, 'lest my mother hear,'
and at that a second score went down against his innocence.

'You put to sea with him; you came back alone. Where is he?'

In his haste Christian answered to more than was asked.

'Alive he was when I saw him last. Where he now is I know little as you.'

The youngest put in a word. 'Alive! But was any plank under him? Will you
take your oath that he was alive and safe, and unhurt by you?'

At that red guilt flew over his face, for he could not.

Another turn of word