He hastened forward with a strange sense of expectancy, not unmingled with dread, for the child had grown so dear to him, that while he had looked forward with real pleasure to the reward, which would enable him to do much for her comfort, he often dreaded lest in its place should come an intimation that the unknown mother was again ready to claim her child. A noble black horse was pawing the ground with impatience as Jack appeared in the doorway, and on his back sat a tall man in a long black riding-cloak, whose features were only dimly discernible in the uncertain light, but whose voice had a gravely pleasant ring, as he stooped from the saddle and placed a sealed packet in Jack's hand, saying, "The child's mother sends you greeting, with the promised reward for your care of her babe. She charged me that I should see her, and take back to her a faithful report of her growth and progress. And if it trouble you not at this late hour, I will for a brief moment dismount and look at the child." "My home is humble, good sir," said the boatman, "but methinks that must be already known to my kinswoman, who honours me with so strange a trust and acquaintance, while herself unknown to me. The child sleeps yonder in her cot. I will look to your steed while you see her." He watched the tall horseman enter the cottage and hold the candle over the crib, so that its light fell on the tiny face nestled on the white pillow, and lit up the halo of golden curls which surrounded it with a soft, gleaming radiance. The piercing eyes of the messenger softened as they dwelt upon the sweet picture of infant beauty and sleeping innocence, and he turned away with a sigh, saying, "She is wondrous fair--and you love her?" "As my own," answered Jack warmly. "She is the apple of my eye! Sir, I beg you to tell my kinswoman that hitherto I have done for the child all that love could do, and that her health and happiness have well repaid me; but that now it has pleased her to send me this gift, I will likewise do all that money shall make possible to increase her comfort and please her baby heart." "That is well," said the stranger. "I will assure her, on my part, that the child is in good keeping, and that she has not been deceived in the trust she placed in you. Nay, good Jack, no questions! I will be no mouthpiece for your kinswoman. Be faithful to your charge, and ask me nought that she does not herself reveal to you. Farewell; I must away." And hastily remounting his coal-black steed, he passed on down the narrow road by the riverside, crossed the ford just below the bridge, and was lost to view in the wooded lane beyond. Jack went to bed with feelings of mingled relief and perplexity. The possession of the money was pleasant; the continued possession of the child he realised to be even a greater joy than he had imagined in his already fond heart, but the whole subject was one of great perplexity, and the visit of the messenger