ave it with
my consent. Nor shall anybody take Fern's Hollow from you. I have been
down to Longville about it, but Mr. Wyley is too ill to see me. By the
way, I told Miss Anne I was coming up the hills after you. She wants to
see you, Stephen, as soon as possible after your work is done.'

Mr. Danesford rode on over the hills, and Stephen walked some way beside
him, to put him into the nearest path for Danesford. After he was gone
he watched earnestly for the evening shadows, and when they stretched
far away across the plains, he hastened down to the cabin, and then on
to Longville, to his appointed interview with Miss Anne.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE MASTER'S DEATHBED.

When the master at last consented to leave the sight of his old dwelling
burning into blackened heaps, he seemed to care nothing where he might
be taken. He was without a home, and almost without a friend. It was not
accident merely, but the long-provoked hatred of his people, that had
driven him from the old chambers and the old roof which had sheltered
him for so many years, and where all the habits and memories of his life
centred. Miss Anne had not been long enough at Botfield to form
friendships on her own account, except among the poor and ignorant
people on her uncle's works; and she accepted most thankfully the offer
of the doctor from Longville to give them a refuge in his house. No
sooner had they arrived there than it was discovered that the master was
struck with paralysis, brought on by the shock of the fire, and all the
terrifying circumstances attending it. He was carried at once to a
bedroom, and from that time Miss Anne had been fully occupied in nursing
him.

He had seemed to be getting better the last day or two, and his power of
speech had returned, though he spoke but rarely; only following Miss
Anne's movements with earnest eyes, and hardly suffering her to leave
him, even for necessary rest and refreshment. All that afternoon he had
been tossing his restless head from side to side, uttering deep, low
groans, and murmuring now and then to himself words which Miss Anne
could not understand. She looked white and ill herself, as if her
strength were nearly exhausted; but after the doctor had been in, and,
feeling the master's pulse, shook his head solemnly, she would not
consent to leave his bedside for any length of time.

'How long?' she whispered, going with the doctor to the outside of the
door.

'Not more than twenty-fo