at the swift, shining
river, as it washed past the garden wall.

I remember the very words she was reading as I entered unheeded.

"'So it fell, that knight returned, and none knew him; no, not even the
dog in the outer court. But when he spake, there was a certain little
maid knew his voice, whom, as a child, he was wont to make sport with.
But now, because she was grown from child to woman, and her mirth was
turned to love, did she say never a word when he appeared, but ran away
and hid herself.'"

"And do tall knights and ladies play at hide-and-go-seek, like boys and
girls?" asked the little sister.

Jeannette laughed at the question, and as she did so, she looked up and
saw me standing there.

She, at least, knew me!

For a moment the colour left her cheeks, in fear and doubt. Next, it
rushed back in a crimson flood; then she uttered my name, and hid her
face in the bosom of the little child.

I was but a plain 'prentice with no more than my share of brains. Yet,
I had need to be slow-witted indeed, not to read a long, wonderful story
in what I saw then.

"Ay," said I, stepping forward, and answering the little's one's
question, "and sometimes they find one another too."

And, as in the old days, I kissed them both, and was very happy.

When, presently, Master Walgrave returned and saw me there, he seemed
not too well pleased. Yet, I suspected he was not altogether
discontented to see me back, for he counted me a proper workman and
handy at my craft. And when I set-to and told them a plain tale of what
had befallen me, and how ill I had been slandered by my fellow
'prentice, and how ready I was to serve them now, he grew less sullen,
and bade me abide where I was till he considered the matter.

From my mistress in turn I learned something of their doings since I saw
them last in the street of Kingston. The minister, she said, had
pinched himself to shelter them for many a week, while they worked for
him among the harvesters and in the dairy, in return. But at last when
Autumn came, and they could do no more to serve him, they departed, and
petitioned the Company to admit them back to the printing house; which,
after much ado, was granted, and so they continued with much labour to
subsist. But Peter, I was told afterwards, made himself master of
everything, and, in return for his services, exacted all the profit,
little as it was, they made by the printing. At last, after lying six
months in