"Coming from the light, I may scantly see who is here," said he; "but I wish to speak quickly with Mrs Rose--Mrs Thekla, I mean." Mrs Rose and Isoult were sitting in the little chamber. The latter rose to call Thekla. "What for Thekla?" asked her mother, earnestly. "Can you not tell me, Mr Underhill? Is there some evil news for me?" "I knew not you were here till I heard you speak, Mrs Rose," he answered, in the gentle manner in which he always spoke to her. "Well, I suppose you may as well know it first as last. Your husband is ordered to Norwich for examination, and shall set forth this even. He shall pass the postern in half an hour, and I came to tell Mrs Thekla, if she desired to speak with him, she should come at once with me." Thekla ran up-stairs to fetch her hood. "To Norwich!" cried poor Mrs Rose, "what for to Norwich?" "I know not," said Mr Underhill; "is he Norfolk-born?" "He was born at Exmouth," she answered; "is Exmouth in Norfolk?" "Nay, surely," said Isoult; "'tis in Devon, as I well know." "Then what for Norwich?" she said again. "But, Mr Underhill! you take Thekla--and you take not me?" "I cannot, Mrs Rose," said he; "your peril--" "What care I for my peril?" she cried, passionately. "Doth he belong to them? or doth he belong only to Thekla? Let me go, Mr Underhill! He is mine--mine--mine! _Mi alma, mi bien_ [my soul, my own]! I will go, if it be the last sight of him! Who shall let me?" "Marry, I would, if I could," said Mr Underhill, under his voice. "Mrs Avery, what am I to do?" and he looked helplessly at Isoult. "Leave me to speak to her, Mr Underhill," she answered. "Dear sister Marguerite, remember Mr Rose is not yet condemned: and there is the shadow of hope that he may not be so. But if they can prove him to have been in your company, that hope will perish. Will you go, knowing that?" Mrs Rose had knelt down by the table, and buried her head in her hands upon it. She gave no answer save a low, deep moan of unutterable anguish. "_Seigneur, pour combien de temps regarderas-tu cela_?" "Go, Mr Underhill," said Isoult, softly. "If I know her, she will not follow." Mr Underhill hurried Thekla away. It was an hour before they came back. Mrs Rose had gone up-stairs, and Isoult sat alone in the chimney-corner. She heard the latch lifted, and Mr Underhill's voice bidding Thekla good-night. He was not returning with her. Then her soft step came forward. She paused as soon as she entered the chamber. "Who is here?" she said, under her breath. "It is I, Thekla," answered Isoult. "Thy mother is above, dear heart; I am alone." "I am glad of that." And she came forward to the hearth, where suddenly she flung herself down on her knees, and buried her face in Isoult's lap. "I cannot see her just now!" she said in a choked voice. "I must be over mine own agony ere I can bear hers. O Mrs Avery! he is so white, and worn, and aged! I hardly knew him till he smiled on me!"