She stretched her hand out feebly, and pointed to a bottle of salts that stood on the table. Ryder ran and put them to her nostrils. Mrs. Gaunt whispered in her ear, "Send a swift horse for Father Francis; tell him life or death!" Ryder gave her a very intelligent look, and presently slipped out, and ran into the stable-yard. At the gate she caught sight of Griffith's horse. What does this quick-witted creature do but send the groom off on that horse, and not on Mrs. Gaunt's. * * * * * "Now, Dame," said Griffith, doggedly, "are you better?" "Ay, I thank you." "Then listen to me. When you and I set up house together, I had two thousand pounds. I spent it on this house. The house is yours. You told me so, one day, you know." "Ah, you can remember my faults." "I remember all, Kate." "Thank you, at least, for calling me Kate. Well, Griffith, since you abandoned us, I thought, and thought, and thought, of all that might befall you; and I said, 'What will he do for money?' My jewels, that you did me the honor to take, would not last you long, I feared. So I reduced my expenses three fourths at least, and I put by some money for your need." Griffith looked amazed. "For my need?" said he. "For whose else? I'll send for it, and place it in your hands--to-morrow." "To-morrow? Why not to-day?" "I have a favor to ask of you first." "What is that?" "Justice. If you are fond of money, I too have something I prize: my honor. You have belied and insulted me, sir; but I know you were under a delusion. I mean to remove that delusion, and make you see how little I am to blame; for, alas! I own I was imprudent. But, O Griffith, as I hope to be saved, it was the imprudence of innocence and over-confidence." "Mistress," said Griffith, in a stern, yet agitated voice, "be advised, and leave all this: rouse not a man's sleeping wrath. Let bygones be bygones." Mrs. Gaunt rose, and said, faintly, "So be it. I must go, sir, and give some orders for your entertainment." "O, don't put yourself about for me," said Griffith: "I am not the master of this house." Mrs. Gaunt's lip trembled, but she was a match for him. "Then are you my guest," said she; "and my credit is concerned in your comfort." She made him a courtesy, as if he were a stranger, and marched to the door, concealing, with great pride and art, a certain trembling of her knees. At the door she found Ryder, and bade her follow, much to that lady's disappointment; for she desired a _tete-a-tete_ with Griffith, and an explanation. As soon as the two women were out of Griffith's hearing, the mistress laid her hand on the servant's arm, and, giving way to her feelings, said, all in a flutter: "Child, if I have been a good mistress to thee, show it now. Help me keep him in the house till Father Francis comes." "I undertake to do so much," said Ryder, firmly. "Leave it to me, mistress." Mrs. Gaunt threw her arms round Ryder's neck and kissed her.