'From the moment I was carried wounded to Arnhem I heard nought of the child, snatched by the villain from my arms, till that evening when, God be praised, I was led to the very place where he has been nursed by his mother in a sore sickness. It has been my good fortune to give her, my ever-beloved mistress, safe convoy to Arnhem, where they are, thank God, safe under the care of that God-fearing man and worthy divine, Master George Gifford. 'Here I left them, returning to Flushing, where a strong force is ready to meet the enemy, ay, and beat them back with slaughter when they advance. The Earl of Leicester is in command, but the life and soul and wisdom of the defence lie with my noble master, Sir Philip. To serve under him is sure one of the greatest honours a man can know. We have his brave brothers also at hand. Robert is scarce a whit less brave than his brother, and of Mr Thomas, it is enough to say of him he is a Sidney, and worthy of that name. 'I write in haste, for the despatches are made up, thus I can say but little of the hope within my heart, which, God grant, will now at last be not, as for so many long years, a hope in vain. 'Ambrose Gifford died of the fever, and, having made his confession, was absolved by the priest, and forgiven by that saint who has suffered from his sins! This last more for his benefit than the first, methinks! But I can no more. 'Commend me to our mother and Mistress Lucy Forrester. If I fall in the coming fight, I pray you, George, remember to protect one dearest to me on earth.--I rest your loving brother, 'HUMPHREY RATCLIFFE.' '_Post Scriptum._--The enemy is advancing, and we shall be ordered out to meet them ere sunset. God defend the right. H. R.' * * * * * 'What is the date of that letter, Lucy?' Lady Pembroke asked. 'The twenty-first day of September, Madam.' 'And this is the twenty-sixth. More news will sure be here ere long, and another victory assured, if it please God. May He protect my brothers in the fight. But, Lucy, I rejoice to hear of your sister's happiness in the recovery of her child; and now, in due course, I trust my brother's faithful servant and friend, Master Humphrey, will have the reward of his loyalty.' 'Yes, Madam; I hope Mary may, as you say, reward Humphrey.' 'And you, Lucy; sure Master George is worthy that you should grant him his reward also.' Lucy's bright face clouded as the Countess said this, and a bright crimson flush rose to her cheeks. 'Dear Madam,' she said, 'I shrink from giving a meagre return for such faithful love. Sure ere a woman gives herself to a man till death, she should make certain that he is the one in all the world for her.' 'I will not contradict this, Lucy; but many women misjudge their own hearts, and--' Lady Pembroke hesitated. Then, after a pause, she said,-- 'There are some women who make their own idol, and worship it. After all, it is an unreality to them, because unattainable.'