"Because I've seen them myself, sir," said the woman, tartly. "Strange ungodly lights dancing up and down, and moving through the forest, and Mistress Croftly and others have seen them since." "Marshy exhalations, luminous vapours, terrestrial lamps, Mistress Hilberry." "I daresay they be, sir," said the woman with asperity. "It don't matter to me what you call them, but they're spirits, and just a year ago, about this time, Martin Lee was struck down by one of them with a noise like thunder. He was an ailing man for a twelvemonth after, shivering regularly at times when he should have been sound and well." "Yes, I dare say," said Master Peasegood. "Hah! here he is." He waddled down to the garden-gate, to open it for a thin, pale, grey man in a priest's cassock, who grasped his hand warmly, and then with a scared, hunted look in his eye, which made him glance uneasily around, as if in search of danger, he accompanied Master Peasegood into the parlour, where Mistress Hilberry received them with a portentous sniff. "Peace be with thee, my daughter," the new-comer said, softly; but Mistress Hilberry seemed disposed to declare war, for she snorted, turned on her heel, and left the room with a good deal of rustling and noise. The visitor looked pained as his eyes sought those of his host in an inquiring way. "Only the weaker vessel," said Master Peasegood, laughing. "Never heed her, Father Francis. She tells me thou wilt convert me, and I tell her I am going to convert thee. I'm glad to see you; but, ah!" he cried, holding up a warning finger, "thou hast been fasting over much. Quelling the spirit in us is one thing, making the body weak and sick another. Sit down, man, and fall to. We'll have a long and cosy evening, and discuss politics and the matters of the world." He placed a chair for his guest, smiling pleasantly upon him the while, and then a goodly jug of ale being brought in by Mistress Hilberry, the two clerical friends made a hearty meal, after Father Brisdone had blessed the food. "I ought not to eat this after your blessing," said Master Peasegood, laughing, "but I shall. And now, good Father Francis, before we shelve religious matters for the evening, tell me outright, now, have you been trying to win over my little woman yonder at the Pool?" For answer, Father Francis held out his hand. "Nor the Captain?" "Nay, not a word has passed my lips to him on the subject of religion." "Then it is agreed that there is to be a good and honest truce between us. Neither one nor the other is to play wolf round his neighbour's sheepfold." "Brother Joseph," said the guest, rising, taking a step forward, and laying his hands upon the other's broad shoulder, "shame has kept me silent heretofore. Now, dear friend, I will confess." "Forbidden subject," said Master Peasegood.