t James," said he, "farewell, my good Mary," extending
his hands to both. "I always thought you innocent, and I still think
so. Do not despair. Do not surrender your honesty because you are
suspected. Yes, yes; whosoever does well and has confidence in God, may
be assured of His protection. May God be with you."

Hand in hand Mary and her father now continued their way through the
forest, not knowing at what spot they would rest, and without a friend
in the world but God.

CHAPTER VIII.

FINDING NEW FRIENDS.

Although their hearts were thus sustained by faith in God, the journey
on which Mary and her father now started was a long and painful one.
For days they were unable to find a lodging, and the little money with
which they had started was at last exhausted, and they had no prospect
of earning more. Although it was sorely against their will, they were
at last compelled to ask for bread at the hands of charity. Here again
they were made to feel the humiliation of their position; for in going
from door to door, seeking for help which they so sorely needed, they
met with scarcely anything but rebuffs, and sometimes indeed with
abuse. Often their meal consisted only of a small piece of dry bread,
washed down by water from the nearest fountain. A luxury would
occasionally come their way in the shape of a little soup or some
vegetables, and here and there, some scraps of meat or pastry, given to
them by some kind-hearted housekeeper. After days spent in this way,
they were thankful at night to be allowed to sleep in a barn.

Up till now Mary's father had borne up with wonderful courage. One day,
however, the distance which they had travelled was longer than usual,
and the road which stretched before them seemed endless, unbroken by
the sight of any village or human habitation. Suddenly the old man
began to feel very weak. His limbs tottered under him, and he fell,
pale and speechless, on a heap of dry leaves at the foot of a hill
covered with pine trees.

In great alarm for her father's safety, and overwhelmed with grief,
Mary ran hither and thither trying to find water, but in vain. Thinking
that her voice might be heard by some one in the neighbourhood she
cried for help, but the echo alone answered her. As far as she could
see, in every direction the country was without human habitation.
Almost worn out with fatigue, she at last climbed to the top of the
hill in order that she might more readily discover