'Twas thought that the winters at home were somewhat too severe for mine health, and 'twas settled that for the winter then coming, I should tarry with Aunt _Joyce_. It was easy to compass the matter, for at that time was _Wat_ of a journey to _London_ on his occasions, and he brought me, early in _October_, as far as _Minster Lovel_. As for getting back, that was left to see to when time should be convenient. _Father_ gave me his blessing, and three nobles spending money, and bade me bring back home a pair of rosier cheeks, saying he should not grudge to pay the bill: and _Mother_ shed some tears o'er me, and packed up for me much good gear of her own spinning and knitting, and all bade me farewell right lovingly. I o'erheard Cousin _Bess_ say to _Mother_ that the sun should scant seem to shine till I came back: the which dear _Mother_ did heartily echo, saying she wist not at all what had come o'er me, but it was her good hope that a southward winter should make me as an other maid. Well! I could have told her what she wist not, for I was then but new come out of the discovering that what women commonly reckon the flower of a woman's life was not for me, and that I must be content to crown mine head with the common herb of the field. But I held my peace, and none wist it but Aunt _Joyce_: for in her presence had I not been a day when I found that her eyes had read me through. As we sat by the fire at even, our two selves, quoth she all suddenly, without an other word afore it-- "There be alway some dark valleys in a woman's life, _Edith_." "I reckon so, _Aunt_," said I, essaying to speak lightly. "Ay, and each one is apt to think she hath no company. But there be always footsteps on the road afore us, child. Nearest of all be His footsteps that knelt that dark night in _Gethsemane_, with no human comforting in His agony. There hath never been any sorrow like to His sorrow, though each one of us is given to suppose there is none like her own. Poor little _Edith_! didst reckon thy face should be any riddle to me--me, that have been on the road afore thee these forty years?" I could not help it. That gentle touch unlocked the sealed fountain, and I knelt down by Aunt _Joyce_, and threw mine arms around her, and poured out mine heart like water, with mine head upon her knees. She held me to her with one arm, but not a word said she till my tears were stayed, and I could lift mine head again.