ireside.

"I must e'en do the best I can without thee, sister," she said. "I
doubt not my fears be foolish. I will strive that the girls be not
affected thereby."

"I trow it would be no easy matter to teach them to Kate," said
Lady Humbert with a smile. "She has all the spirit of Wyvern and
Trevlyn combined. She will be a stanch protector for thee,
Dowsabel, if thou art troubled by strange noises in the wainscot,
or by the barking of the dogs without."

"Thou thinkest me a sad coward, sister; and so perchance I am,"
said meek Mistress Dowsabel. "But if ever thou art absent from the
house, I am beset by a thousand fears that assail me not at any
other time. My heart is heavy as lead within me now."

But Lady Humbert could not delay her journey on that account. She
said something equivalent to "Fiddle dee dee!" and hastened forward
her preparations with her customary energy. Kate flitted about and
chattered merrily to her, having won her way by that time to a very
soft spot in the heart of her ancient kinswoman.

"I am glad to leave thee with thy aunt Dowsabel, child," said Lady
Humbert before she left. "Ellen will read to her and see to her
possets and her little fire-side comforts; but thou wilt assist her
to overlook the household and servants, and cheer up her spirits
and her courage if either should flag. She is strangely timid when
I am not by. Thou must do what thou canst to keep away her fears."

"Fears!" echoed Kate, laughing; "why, wherefore should we fear?"

"There is small cause, but Dowsabel is by nature timorous, and she
will lean on thee, child though thou art, when I am gone. There be
certain charges I would lay upon thee. The men will be gone, all
but old Thomas within doors and Joshua without; wherefore I will
ask thee to go round the house thyself at dusk each eve, and see
that all bolts and bars be securely drawn. That is Andrew's work,
but he will be with me. Dyson and thou hadst better go together--or
thou and Cherry. Thou wilt not be afraid of such a task?"

"Afraid? marry no! Cherry and I will do it gladly. She is a
merry-hearted lassie, and I like her well. Is there aught else, my
lady aunt?"

Lady Humbert, standing beside the fire and drawing on her riding
gloves, looked into Kate's bright face with a thoughtful smile.

"If I could trust thy discretion as I trust thy courage and sense,
my giddy-pated maiden, there is one more charge I would lay upon
thee."

The light of laughter i