u, I'm main sorry I lost my temper, and if I said any word
to you as I shouldn't, I'll take 'em back every one, and may God bless
you!"

"Well said, old friend!" answered Tabitha, in high good-humour.

"And, O Mistress, do you think, an' it like you, that Master Benden will
turn us forth on Saint Austin's morrow?--that's when our rent's due."

"What is your rent, neighbour?"

"'Tis thirteen-and-fourpence, the house, Mistress--but then we've the
bit o' pasture land behind, for our horse and cow--that's eight
shillings more by the year. And I've only"--Collet went to a chest, and
lifted out an old black stocking--"I haven't but sixteen shillings laid
by towards it, and look you, there'll be no wages coming in save Toby's
and Esdras' and Aphabell's, and we've to live. With 'leven of us to eat
and be clad, we can't save many pence for rent, and I did hope Master
Benden 'd be pleased to wait a while. Of course he must have his own,
like any other; but if he would ha' waited--"

"He'll wait," said Tabitha, and shut her mouth with a snap. "But lest
he should not, Collet, come by Seven Roads as you go to pay your rent,
and whatso you may be short for the full amount, I'll find you."

"Eh dear, Mistress Hall, I could cut my tongue in leches [slices] that
it ever spake a word as didn't please you!" cried the grateful Collet,
though Tabitha had spoken a multitude of words which were by no means
pleasing to her. "And we'll all pray God bless you when we're on our
knees to-night, and all your folks belike. And I _will_ essay to keep
the lads better-way, though in very deed I don't know how," concluded
she, as Tabitha rose, well pleased, patted Charity on the head, told
Beatrice to be a good maid and help her mother, and in a mood divided
between gratification and grim plans for giving Mr Benden the due
reward of his deeds, set out on her walk home.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

COMPANY IN DISTRESS.

"Now then, stir up, Mistress Benden! You are to be shifted to the
Castle."

Alice Benden looked up as the keeper approached her with that news. The
words sounded rough, but the tone was not unkind. There was even a
slight tinge of pity in it.

What that transfer meant, both the keeper and the prisoner knew. It was
the preparatory step to a sentence of death.

All hope for this world died out of the heart of Alice Benden. No more
possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness for Edward!--no more
loving counsels to