thread of hope that after all
she might be the prey of some awful delusion, which a word from someone
who really knew would anon easily dissipate.

Someone who really knew? Nay! that someone could only be Marmaduke, and
of him she dared not ask questions.

Mayhap that on the other hand the old woman and Richard Lambert knew
more than they had cared to say. Sue was indeed deeply absorbed in
thoughts, walking with head bent and eyes fixed on the ground like a
somnambulist. Editha, moved by unreasoning instinct, determined to see
the Quakeress again, also the man who now lay dead, hoping that from him
mayhap she might glean the real solution of that mystery which sooner or
later would undoubtedly drive her mad.

Running rapidly past horse and rider, for she would not speak to
Marmaduke, she reached the cottage soon enough.

In response to her knock, Master Lambert opened the door to her.

The dim light of a couple of tallow candles flickered weirdly in the
draught. Editha looked around her in amazement, astonished that--like
herself--Squire Boatfield had also evidently retraced his steps and was
sitting now in one of the high-backed chairs beside the hearth, whilst
the old Quakeress stood not far from him, her attitude indicative of
obstinacy, even of defiance, in the face of a duty with which apparently
the squire had been charging her.

At sight of Mistress de Chavasse, Boatfield rose. A look of annoyance
crossed his face, at thought that Editha's arrival had, mayhap,
endangered the success of his present purpose. Ink and paper were on the
table close to his elbow, and it was obvious that he had been
questioning the old woman very closely on a subject which she
apparently desired to keep secret from him.

Mistress Lambert's attitude had also changed at sight of Editha, who
stood for a moment undecided on the threshold ere she ventured within.
The look of obstinacy died out of the wrinkled face; the eyes took on a
strange expression of sullen wrath.

"Enter, my fine lady, I pray thee, enter," said the Quakeress; "art also
a party to these cross-questionings? ... art anxious to probe the
secrets which the old woman hath kept hidden within the walls of this
cottage?"

She laughed, a low, chuckling laugh, mirthless and almost cruel, as she
surveyed Editha's cloaked figure and then the lady's scared and anxious
face.

"Nay, I crave your pardon, mistress," said Editha, feeling oddly timid
before the strange person