"Yes, sweet lady." "Don't talk like that, child. Call me ma'am." "Yes, ma'am," said Jerry, submissively. "Mr. Beryl--such a kind gentleman, ma'am--said you would help me." "I will so long as you are honest." Jerry thrust his tongue in his cheek, but Julius answered, "I can vouch for his honesty," he said. "But he talks too much." "He must hold his tongue here," said the old dame, severely, and shaking her trowel at the boy. "Where are his clothes?" "I have none but what's on," cried Jerry. "The kind gentleman got them for me, ma'am." "You are a better Christian than I thought," said Miss Berengaria, looking at Beryl. "Well, you can stay here, boy. Go to the kitchen and tell the servants to give you something to eat." Jerry grinned, and ducked towards the door. "Good-bye, Jerry," said Beryl, kindly. "Don't forget me." "If I do may I be--oh no, kind lady--I mean, ma'am--I won't swear. I never did, having been to Sunday school. Yes, ma'am, I'm going," and Jerry in answer to an imperative wave of his new mistress's hand disappeared. Miss Berengaria turned to Beryl. "He certainly has a long tongue," she said severely. "I must see that he doesn't swear or smoke or indulge in any of those wicked things. I hope he will do your recommendation credit, Mr. Beryl." "I hope he will," said Julius, and felt a strong inclination to thrust his tongue in his cheek also. Then he took his leave and the old lady watched him go. "What is this for?" she asked herself, and went inside to write a report to Durham. CHAPTER XIII A CONSULTATION A week later Bernard was seated in the sitting room on the first floor of the castle looking out at the landscape. It was picturesque but depressing. The sun had just set behind dark clouds, and the red glare behind them looked like a fire in a grate. The marshes were covered with white mist, and the arm of the sea that reached up to the castle walls resembled a stream of blood. And over all the veil of night was falling darker and darker. Even to a mind at ease the prospect would have been cheerless, but to Bernard in his present low spirits it was positively suicidal. He felt more miserable than he had ever done in his life. While watching and waiting, he knew not for what, the sound of voices was heard. As he started to his feet with that nervousness which had increased of late, the door opened slowly and Mark Durham entered smiling. Bernard with an ejaculation of surprise hastened towards him with outstretched hands. "My dear Mark, how unexpected and how jolly. I was just dying to see someone. When did you arrive?" "This very minute, and Mrs. Moon"--he turned to the door through which could be seen the gigantic form of the ogress--"showed me up at once. I have come for the night"--he raised his voice for the benefit of the housekeeper--"on business connected with Lord Conniston's estate."