right track. The moon and the stars shone in the sky and
guided my steps. I sent Martha away, and journeyed on alone. It was
sweet to find myself free, to see the heavens above my head, and to
hear the soft night breezes. In the clear brightness of the night I
could see far about me, and I knew that I was alone and had naught
to fear. Thanks to Martha's good nursing and the food she had
contrived for me, I was stronger than I had been for many long days
and weeks. It was happiness to use my limbs, and I was not wearied
by my journey. I entered the forest track at last, and quickly
found the path that thou hadst spoken to me of. I knew then that I
was near my journey's end, and my heart was light within me."

"Didst thou not fear the dark wood and the many strange sounds of
the night?"

"I feared somewhat, but chided myself for that fear. But it was
well I felt it, else might I not have crept along as I did with
such mouse-like stillness; and but for that, yon man"--with a
shuddering glance at Long Robin on the ground--"would surely have
found me."

Cuthbert started and asked her how that was.

"I will tell thee, brother. I was drawing very nigh this dell, and
I felt as by some instinct that it was close at hand, when I heard
the sound of footsteps coming thence, and I well-nigh ran forth
calling thee by name, for I felt assured it must be thou. But then
some impulse of fear possessed me, and I trembled in every limb,
and instead of running forth to meet him who was coming, I hid
myself within the shadows of a deep hollow tree, scarce daring to
breathe lest I should be discovered. And scarce had I done this
before a tall figure crept out along the path, and halted so close
beside me that I well-nigh screamed aloud in my terror, for I
thought for sure I was discovered. But no: he had not paused for
that, and as he stood scarce three ells from my hiding place I
heard him mutter to himself; and I knew by what thou hadst told me,
and by his tall form and long white beard, that it was Long Robin
who was so near.

"And couldst thou hear what he said?"

"I could hear many words, and fierce ones, too--words that made my
flesh creep, and turned me sick with fear for thee, my brother. He
muttered that he was watched and spied upon. He spoke of other
footfalls than his own in the dell, and cursed Joanna for striving
to outwit him, vowing he would slay her if once he found that she
had dared to set others to watch him. He