hieved,--I will not lay this shame on my soul! Spend this gold on
thyself, trim this room, buy thee raiment,--all that thou needest,--I
order, I command it! And hark thee, if thou gettest more, hide it from
me, hide it well; men's desires are foul tempters! I never knew, in
following wisdom, that I had a vice. I wake and find myself a miser and
a robber!"

And with these words he fled from the girl's chamber, gained his own,
and locked the door.

CHAPTER III. A STRANGE VISITOR.--ALL AGES OF THE WORLD BREED
WORLD-BETTERS.

Sibyll, whose soft heart bled for her father, and who now reproached
herself for having concealed from him her little hoard, began hastily to
dress that she might seek him out, and soothe the painful feelings
which the honest rudeness of Madge had aroused. But before her task was
concluded, there pealed a loud knock at the outer door. She heard the
old housekeeper's quivering voice responding to a loud clear tone; and
presently Madge herself ascended the stairs to Warner's room, followed
by a man whom Sibyll instantly recognized--for he was not one easily to
be forgotten--as their protector from the assault of the mob. She drew
back hastily as he passed her door, and in some wonder and alarm
awaited the descent of Madge. That venerable personage having with some
difficulty induced her master to open his door and admit the stranger,
came straight into her young lady's chamber. "Cheer up, cheer up,
sweetheart," said the old woman; "I think better days will shine soon;
for the honest man I have admitted says he is but come to tell Master
Warner something that will redound much to his profit. Oh, he is a
wonderful fellow, this same Robin! You saw how he turned the cullions
from burning the old house!"

"What! you know this man, Madge! What is he, and who?"

Madge looked puzzled. "That is more than I can say, sweet mistress. But
though he has been but some weeks in the neighbourhood, they all hold
him in high count and esteem. For why--it is said he is a rich man and a
kind one. He does a world of good to the poor."

While Sibyll listened to such explanations as Madge could give her, the
stranger, who had carefully closed the door of the student's chamber,
after regarding Adam for a moment with silent but keen scrutiny, thus
began,--

"When last we met, Adam Warner, it was with satchells on our backs. Look
well at me!"

"Troth," answered Adam, languidly, for he was still under the deep
deje