een
strikingly handsome; Martin inherited her bright colour and dark
eyes; but time had set its mark upon her, and often had she felt
weary of life.

But now, after one of her monotonous rambles, like unto one
distraught in the woods, had come this glad surprise. A new life
burst upon her--something to live for, and, rushing forward, she
threw her arms around the neck of her recovered boy.

"My mother," said he in an agitated voice. "Nay, she has been long
dead."

But as he gazed, the same instinct awoke in him as in her, and he
lost self control. The sermon ended abruptly, the preacher was
conquered by the man. The hearers gathered in groups and discussed
the event.

"This explains how he knew all about us!"

"It is Martin, little Martin, who should have been our chieftain."

"The last of the house of Michelham!"

"Turned into a preaching friar!"

Grimbeard mused in silence. At last he gave a whispered order.

"Treat them both well, to the best of our power. But they must not
leave the camp."

"Mother," said Martin, "why that cruel message of thy death? Thou
hadst not otherwise lost me so long."

"It was for thy good. I would save thee from the life of an outlaw
or vagabond, and foresaw that unless I renounced thee utterly, thy
love would mar thy fortunes, and bring thee back to my side."

"My poor forsaken mother!"

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Grimbeard now approached.

"Well, young runaway, thou hast come back in strange guise to thy
natural home. Dost thou remember me?"

"Well, step father, many a sound switching hast thou given me,
which doubtless I deserved."

"Or thou hadst not had them. Well said, boy, and now wilt thou take
up thy abode again with us? We want a priest."

"I am no priest, only a preacher, and my mission is to the
Andredsweald at large, and the scattered sheep of the Great
Shepherd therein."

"Only thou knowest our whereabouts too well. We may not let thee go
in and out without security, that our retreat be not made known."

"Father, I have eaten of your bread, and once more of my own free
will accepted your hospitality. Even a heathen would respect your
secret, still more a Christian brother. If I can persuade you to
cease from your mode of life, which the Church decrees unlawful,
well and good. But other weapons than those of the Gospel shall
never be brought against you by me."

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