How the wind could drop at times--to what an utter and treacherous silence! And what strange, misleading sounds the silence brought with it! She sat up in bed. Surely someone had opened the further gate--the gate from the lane? But the wind surged in again, and she had to strain her ears. Nothing. Yes!--wheels and hoofs! a carriage of some sort approaching. A sudden thought came to her. The dog-cart--it seemed to be such by the sound--drew up at the farm door, and a man descended. She heard the reins thrown over the horse's back, then the groping for the knocker, and at last blows loud and clear, startling the night. Mrs. Mason's window was thrown open next, and her voice came out imperiously--"What is it?" Laura's life seemed to hang on the answer. "Will you please tell Miss Fountain that her stepmother is in great danger, and asks her to come at once." She leapt from her bed, but must needs wait--turned again to stone--for the next word. It came after a pause. "And wha's the message from?" "Kindly tell her that Mr. Helbeck is here with the dog-cart." The window closed. Laura slipped into her clothes, and by the time Mrs. Mason emerged the girl was already in the passage. "I heard," she said briefly. "Let us go down." Mrs. Mason, pale and frowning, led the way. She undid the heavy bars and lock, and for the first time in her life stood confronted--on her own threshold--with the Papist Squire of Bannisdale. Mr. Helbeck greeted her ceremoniously. But his black eyes, so deep-set and cavernous in his strong-boned face, did not seem to notice her. They ran past her to that small shadow in the background. "Are you ready?" he said, addressing the shadow. "One moment, please," said Laura. She was tying a thick veil round her hat, and struggling with the fastenings of her cloak. Mrs. Mason looked from one to another like a baffled lioness. But to let them go without a word was beyond her. She turned to the Squire. "Misther Helbeck!--yo'll tell me on your conscience--as it's reet and just--afther aw that's passt--'at this yoong woman should go wi yo?" Laura shivered with rage and shame. Her fingers hastened. Mr. Helbeck showed no emotion whatever. "Mrs. Fountain is dying," he said briefly; and again his eye--anxious, imperious--sought for the girl. She came hastily forward from the shadows of the kitchen. Mr. Helbeck mounted the cart, and held out his hand to her. "Have you got a shawl? The wind is very keen!" He spoke with the careful courtesy one uses to a stranger. "Thank you--I am all right. Please let us go! Cousin Elizabeth!" Laura threw herself backwards a moment, as the cart began to move, and kissed her hand. Mrs. Mason made no sign. She watched the cart, slowly picking its way over the rough ground of the farm-yard, till it turned the corner of the big barn and disappeared in the gusty darkness.