dows, lakes."

The miserable crew broke out into plaints and questions--"Have you no
fire? have you no food? no coverings?"

"None," said Young Gerard. "Where is the bride?"

"Have you do drink?"

"Where is the bride?"

"The groom stumbled," said one. "Let us to Combe Ivy, in comfort's
name. There'll be drink there."

He staggered down the hill, and his fellows made after him. But Young
Gerard sprang upon one, and gripped him by the shoulder and shook him,
and for the third time cried:

"Where is the bride?"

"In the water," he answered heavily, "because--there was--no wine."

Then he dragged himself out of the boy's grasp, and fell down the hill
after his companions.

Young Gerard stood for one instant listening and holding his breath.
Suddenly he said, "My lost lamb, crying on the hills." He ran into the
shed and looked about, and snatched from the settle the green and
cherry cloak, and from the wall the crystal and silver lantern. He
struck a spark from a flint and lit the wick. It burned brightly and
steadily. Then he ran out of the shed. The old woman rose up in his
path.

"That's a good light," said she, "and a warm cloak."

"Don't stop me!" said Young Gerard, and ran on. She nodded, and as he
vanished in one direction, she vanished in the other.

He had not run far when he saw one more shadow on the hills; and it
came with faltering steps, and a trembling sobbing breath, and he held
up his lantern and the light fell on Thea, shivering in her wet veil.
As the flame struck her eyes she sighed, "Oh, I can't see the way--I
can't see!"

Young Gerard hurried to her and said, "Come this way," and he took her
hand; but she snatched it quickly from him.

"Go, man!" she said. "Don't touch me. Go!"

"Don't be frightened of me," said Young Gerard gently.

Then she looked at him and whispered, "Oh--it is you--shepherd. I was
trying to find you. I'm cold."

Young Gerard wrapped the cloak about her, and said, "Come with me. I'll
make you a fire."

He took her back to the shed. But she did not go in. She crouched on
the ground under the cherry-tree. Young Gerard moved about collecting
brushwood. They scarcely looked at each other; but once when he passed
her he said, "You're shivering."

"It's because I'm so wet," said Thea.

"Did you fall in the water?"

She nodded. "The floods were so strong."

"It's a bad night for swimming," said Young Gerard.

"Yes, shepherd." She then said again, "Yes." He