l it?" said the sharp
voice of his wife; "there is no good in the matter; if that young chap
were not living with the rawnee in the illegal and uncertificated line,
he would not be getting up in the middle of the night to fill her
kettles." Passing on, I proceeded to the spring, where I filled the
kettle, and then returned to the dingle.

Placing the kettle upon the fire, I watched it till it began to boil;
then removing it from the top of the brands, I placed it close beside the
fire, and leaving it simmering, I retired to my tent; where, having taken
off my shoes, and a few of my garments, I lay down on my palliasse, and
was not long in falling asleep. I believe I slept soundly for some time,
thinking and dreaming of nothing; suddenly, however, my sleep became
disturbed, and the subject of the patterans began to occupy my brain. I
imagined that I saw Ursula tracing her husband, Launcelot Lovell, by
means of his patterans; I imagined that she had considerable difficulty
in doing so; that she was occasionally interrupted by parish beadles and
constables, who asked her whither she was travelling, to whom she gave
various answers. Presently me thought that, as she was passing by a farm-
yard, two fierce and savage dogs flew at her; I was in great trouble, I
remember, and wished to assist her, but could not, for though I seemed to
see her, I was still at a distance: and now it appeared that she had
escaped from the dogs, and was proceeding with her cart along a gravelly
path which traversed a wild moor; I could hear the wheels grating amidst
sand and gravel. The next moment I was awake, and found myself sitting
up in my tent; there was a glimmer of light through the canvas caused by
the fire; a feeling of dread came over me, which was perhaps natural, on
starting suddenly from one's sleep in that wild lone place; I half
imagined that some one was nigh the tent; the idea made me rather
uncomfortable, and to dissipate it I lifted up the canvas of the door and
peeped out, and, lo! I had an indistinct view of a tall figure standing
by the tent. "Who is that?" said I, whilst I felt my blood rush to my
heart. "It is I," said the voice of Isopel Berners; "you little expected
me, I dare say; well, sleep on, I do not wish to disturb you." "But I
was expecting you," said I, recovering myself, "as you may see by the
fire and the kettle. I will be with you in a moment."

Putting on in haste the articles of dress which I had f