'And this will help it, dear heart,' the old woman said. 'Sup it up, like a good child, for, Heaven help you, you are young enow.' Mary smiled faintly. 'Young! nay; was I ever young and glad?' 'Yes, my dearie, and you'll be young and glad again afore long. There! you are better already, and Ned shall carry you up again when there's peace and quiet.' It was evening, and Mary Gifford had been laid again on her own bed, when quick footsteps were heard before the house, and Lucy's voice,-- 'How fares it with Mary?' Goody Pearse was on the watch at the casement above, and called out,-- 'Come up and see for yourself, Lucy Forrester.' Lucy was up the crooked, uneven stairs in a moment, and Mary, stretching out her arms, said,-- 'Oh! Lucy, Lucy.' The two sisters were locked in a long embrace. 'I am sorry you are fetched back from all your pleasures, little sister,' Mary said at last. 'Nay, I am glad to come. I have had a taste of happiness, and it will last till you are well, and we both go away from here, and the boy is found--for he will be found--Humphrey Ratcliffe will scour the world ere he gives up finding him, and Mr Sidney has granted him leave to go whither he lists, to get hold of that wicked man with his horrible, cruel, black eyes. How I hate him!' 'Do not speak of him,' Mary said, shuddering; 'do not speak of him,' and she put her hand to her side, as if the very mention of him sent a pang through her heart. 'Let me look at you, Lucy,' she said presently. 'Turn your face to the light that I may scan it. Ah!' she said, 'still my little, innocent sister, and with a happy light in her eyes.' Lucy's face grew crimson. 'Yes,' she said. 'I have been happy, though there have been some crooks and quips to bear from old Mother Crawley. Yet, oh, Mary! when there is one big heart-joy, everything else seems so small, and poor, and mean.' 'Have you made George Ratcliffe happy, then, with a promise to requite his love?' 'George Ratcliffe!' Lucy exclaimed. 'Nay, Mary--not for a lap full of gold.' 'Who, then, is it? for there is someone? Who is it, Lucy? I pray God he is a noble Christian gentleman.'