was, indeed, a
monstrous Power that had so dealt with her.... It was none other than
the Will of God, plain at last.

* * * * *

She knelt down for the priest's blessing, without speaking, as the door
closed, and Mr. Biddell knelt behind her. Then she rose and went forward
to the stool and sat upon it.

* * * * *

He was hardly changed at all. He looked a little white and drawn in the
wavering light of the flambeau; but his clothes were orderly and clean,
and his eyes as bright and resolute as ever.

"It is a great happiness to see you," he said, smiling, and then no more
compliments.

"And what of my father?" he added instantly.

She told him. Mr. Audrey was in Derby, still sick from his fit. He was
in Mr. Columbell's house. She had not seen him.

"Robin," she said (and she used the old name, utterly unknowing that she
did so), "we must speak with Mr. Biddell presently about your case. But
there is a word or two I have to say first. We can have two hours here,
if you wish it."

Robin put his hands behind him on to the table and jumped lightly, so
that he sat on it, facing her.

"If you will not sit on the table, Mr. Biddell, I fear there is only
that block of wood."

He pointed to a, block of a tree set on end. It served him, laid flat,
as a pillow. The lawyer went across to it.

"The judges, I hear, are come to-night," said the priest.

She bowed.

"Yes; but your case will not be up for three or four days yet."

"Why, then, I shall have time--"

She lifted her hand sharply a little to check him.

"You will not have much time," she said, and paused again. A sharp
contraction came and went in the muscles of her throat. It was as if a
band gripped her there, relaxed, and gripped again. She put up her own
hand desperately to tear at her collar.

"Why, but--" began the priest.

She could bear it no more. His resolute cheerfulness, his frank
astonishment, were like knives to her. She gave one cry.

"Topcliffe is come ... Topcliffe!..." she cried. Then she flung her arm
across the table and dropped her face on it. No tears came from her
eyes, but tearing sobs shook and tormented her.

It was quite quiet after she had spoken. Even in her anguish she knew
that. The priest did not stir from where he sat a couple of feet away;
only the swinging of his feet ceased. She drove down her convulsions;
they rose again; she drove them down once mor