she met Chatterton, whom she stopped, waking him from one
of his dreams.

'Oh, Miss Palmer, I was on my way towards the square, hoping I might be
so happy as to meet you and your true knight. But what ails you?'

'I have had a summons to meet Bet, my sister. She is in great trouble,
something has happened. Put me in the way to get to the road to Dundry.'

'I will show you the way, and glad to do so,' Chatterton said. 'I am
sorry for your distress, Miss Palmer, but let us hope things are not so
bad as you fear. I am in good heart to-day,' he said, his fine face
shining with hope and boyish gladness, 'let me give you some of my "Holy
sister's" influence.'

Then he walked with Bryda to the ferry. When once on the other side of
the river she could find her way to the foot of the winding road which
led up to Dundry.

Bryda held the crumpled piece of paper in her hand and scanned it again.

'Bet has written it so ill I can scarce read it,' she said. 'That word
is _distress_, is it not, Mr Chatterton?'

Chatterton took the paper and examined it closely.

'It is the hand of one who can write well if she choose--and do you know
your sister's handwriting?'

'Yes, I know she takes a long time to write, but I expect she was
hurried and distressed, and these are tears which have blotted the
paper. What can it be? Oh, what can the trouble be? Good-bye, and thank
you. I must go, as it is full three miles to the old thorn tree.'

'I know it,' Chatterton said, 'I know it. It is where a by-road turns
off towards Bath. I wish you good luck, Miss Palmer.'

Then Chatterton turned, and went back with his swift pace the way he
came.

He met, as he expected, Jack Henderson, who had been to Dowry Square and
heard that Miss Palmer had been called away on some business, but where
the footboy did not know.

When Chatterton met Jack, he was walking with a downcast air, and
Chatterton had slapped him on the back before he was aware of his
presence.

'Whither away, Master Jacques the melancholy?'

'I am in no mood for jests. Tom, let me go.'

'Yes, but let me tell you something first. A certain fair damsel you
know, has crossed the ferry, and is wandering unprotected up the road to
Dundry. Be a good knight and follow her, for it strikes me she may need
your presence.'

'What do you mean?' Jack said.

'What I say. Your fair lady is in trouble, summoned to the old thorn
tree half-way up the hill by her sister, who is in dire nee