man since you disappeared, Master Humphrey. And as for Mistress
Rose, 'tis just the same sweet maiden as ever, and hath grieved for you
mightily. But what a to-do there will be, Master Humphrey! Prithee, let
me go and tell all the folk."

"Not now, Geoffrey, on thy life. Let me first see my sweetheart and my
uncle, and then I will cause the great bell at the manor to be rung, and
you shall take it for a signal and shall tell who you like."

So he promised to obey me, and I left him and took my way towards the
vicarage, for my heart longed sore for the presence of my sweetheart.

Now, as I came up to the front of the house there was a light burning in
the parlor, and I stole up to the window and looked in, and saw Rose
busy with her needle. Fair and sweet she was, aye, sweeter, I think,
than ever; but it was easy to see that she had sorrowed, and that the
sorrow had left its mark upon her. I had always remembered her in my
trials and torments as the merry, laughing maiden, that had flown hither
and thither like a spirit of spring; now I saw her a woman, sweet and
lovely, but with a touch of sadness about her that I knew had come there
because of me.

I went round to the door and tapped softly upon it. Presently came Rose,
bearing a candle, and opened it to my knock, and looked out upon me. I
drew farther away into the darkness.

"Is this the abode of Master Timotheus Herrick?" I asked.

"Yes, sir," she answered, "but he is not in at this moment. You will
find him at the church, where he has gone to read the evening service."

"I had a message for his daughter," said I.

"I am his daughter, sir. What message have you for me?"

"I have come from sea," I answered. "It is a message from one you know."

"From one I know--at sea? But I know no one at sea. Oh, sir, what is it
you would tell me?"

"Let me come in," I said; and she turned and led the way into the
parlor, and set down the candle and looked steadily at me. And then she
suddenly knew me, and in another instant I had her in my arms, and her
face was upon my breast, and all the woes and sorrows of my captivity
were forgotten.

"Humphrey!" she cried. "O, thank God--thank God! My dear, my dear, it is
you, is it not? Am I dreaming--shall I wake presently to find you gone?"

"Never again, sweetheart, never again! I am come back indeed--somewhat
changed, it is true, but still your true and faithful lover."

"And I thought you were dead! O my poor Humphrey, w