Presently Cuthbert exclaimed, “Would Master Groats, the Poticary, shelter you till this is over-past? His wife is deaf and must perforce keep counsel.” “He would! I verily believe he would,” exclaimed Grisell; “and no suspicion would light on him. How soon can I go to him, and how?” “If it may be, this very night,” said Ridley. “I missed two of the rogues, and who knows whither they may have gone?” “Will there be time?” said the poor girl, looking round in terror. “Certes. The nearest witch-finder is at Shields, and they cannot get there and back under two days. Have you jewels, lady? And hark you, trust not to Thora. She is the worst traitor of all. Ask me no more, but be ready to come down when you hear a whistle.” That Thora could be a traitress and turn against her—the girl whom she had taught, trained, and civilised—was too much to believe. She would almost, in spite of cautions, have asked her if it were possible, and tried to explain the true character of the services that were so cruelly misinterpreted; but as she descended the dark winding stair to supper, she heard the following colloquy: “You will not deal hardly with her, good Ralph, dear Ralph?” “That thou shalt see, maid! On thy life, not a word to her.” “Nay, but she is a white witch! she does no evil.” “What! Going back on what thou saidst of her brother and her mother. Take thou heed, or they will take order with thee.” “Thou wilt take care of me, good Ralph. Oh! I have done it for thee.” “Never fear, little one; only shut thy pretty little mouth;” and there was a sound of kissing. “What will they do to her?” in a lower voice. “Thou wilt see! Sink or swim thou knowst. Ha! ha! She will have enough of the draught that is so free to us.” Grisell, trembling and horror-stricken, could only lean against the wall hoping that her beating heart did not sound loud enough to betray her, till a call from the hall put an end to the terrible whispers. She hurried upwards lest Thora should come up and perceive how near she had been, then descended and took her seat at supper, trying to converse with Pierce as usual, but noting with terror the absence of the two soldiers. How her evasion was to be effected she knew not. The castle keys were never delivered to her, but always to Hardcastle, and she saw him take them; but she received from Ridley a look and sign which meant that she was to be ready, and when she left the hall she made up a bundle of needments, and in it her precious books and all the jewels she had inherited. That Thora did not follow her was a boon. CHAPTER XIX A MARCH HARE Yonder is a man in sight— Yonder is a house—but where? No, she must not enter there. To the caves, and to the brooks, To the clouds of heaven she looks. WORDSWORTH, _Feast of Brougham Castle_.