d a tolerably commodious cabin, according to the
notions of the time; and though it was late in the year, and poor Cis
was likely to be wretched enough on the voyage, the additional security
was worth having, and Cicely would be under the care of Goatley's wife,
who made all the voyages with her husband. The Earl likewise charged
Richard Talbot with letters and messages of conciliation to his son
Gilbert, whose estrangement was a great grief to him, arising as it did
entirely from the quarrels of the two wives, mother and daughter. He
even charged his kinsman with the proposal to give up Sheffield to Lord
and Lady Talbot and retire to Wingfield rather than continue at enmity.
Mr. Talbot knew the parties too well to have much hope of prevailing,
or producing permanent peace; but the commission was welcome, as it
would give a satisfactory pretext for his presence in London.

A few days were spent at Bridgefield, Cicely making herself the most
loving, helpful, and charming of daughters, and really basking in the
peaceful atmosphere of Susan's presence; and then,--with many prayers
and blessings from that good lady,--they set forth for Hull, taking
with them two servants besides poor Babington's man Gillingham, whose
superior intelligence and knowledge of London would make him useful,
though there was a dark brooding look about him that made Richard
always dread some act of revenge on his part toward his master's foes.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

MASTER TALBOT AND HIS CHARGE.

The afternoon on which they were to enter the old town of
Kingston-upon-Hull closed in with a dense sea-fog, fast turning to
drizzling rain. They could see but a little distance on either side,
and could not see the lordly old church tower. The beads of dew on the
fringes of her pony's ears were more visible to Cicely than anything
else, and as she kept along by Master Richard's side, she rejoiced both
in the beaten, well-trodden track, and in the pealing bells which
seemed to guide them into the haven; while Richard was resolving, as he
had done all through the journey, where he could best lodge his
companion so as to be safe, and at the same time free from inconvenient
curiosity.

The wetness of the evening made promptness of decision the more
needful, while the bad weather which his experienced eye foresaw would
make the choice more important.

Discerning through the increasing gloom a lantern moving in the street
which seemed to him to li