As far as I could judge, no man seemed to recognize me. My long imprisonment had much changed my appearance, while my beard acted almost like a mask. In order to test this, I even went so far as to have a chat with the landlord of _The Bull_, and so little was he aware as to who I was that I laughed at the fears I had about the magistrates eyeing me with suspicion. I dared not go to Goodlands, however. I knew that the place was being watched, and thus, if Constance were there--as, remembering what she had told me long months before, I believed she was--I should only increase her danger. And yet I longed to see her more than words could say, for my long imprisonment had not lessened my love. It had increased it. So that the thought that she was only a few miles from me tempted me to discard all prudence, and boldly seek her out. But this I did not do, for true love doth not seek its own pleasure, but the welfare of the one who is beloved. I therefore possessed my soul in patience until night, when I made my way to the cottage where the expelled minister told me he had taken up his abode. I remembered the words that had passed between the husband and the wife when I had seen them on the highway near Bedford, and I believed that it was Constance whom the woman had said had promised to come to them that night. It must have been nine by the clock as I reached the stile which the man had pointed out to me, but although it was dark, I had but little difficulty in following the path. In truth it seemed like a much trodden road, and one on which many people had lately passed. I had not gone far before I saw a tiny twinkling light, after which I heard the sound of voices singing. A few minutes later I was so close that I could hear what they were singing. I did not think that the voices were very musical; nevertheless, there was a plaintiveness of tone mingled with triumph that I could not help being moved. "_The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?_ "_The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?_ "_When evildoers come upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell._ "_Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear._ "_One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after._ "_That I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life._" After this I heard the voice of John Day, the man who had been the minister of the parish church of St. Martin's. "My friends," he said, "I feel constrained to speak a few words of comfort and hope to you, for truly the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad; but before I try to expound God's holy word, let us ask Him for wisdom and light, so that I may speak his words with wisdom, rightly dividing the word of truth."