“He’s sure to follow us, but he won’t know we’ve walked.” I remembered the figure on the bridge four nights ago, and was silent. “Renalt, what can we do?” “Jason has gone to me for money, I suppose?” “Oh, if you could only let us have a little; we might escape abroad again and bury ourselves in some faraway spot, where he could never find us.” “Zyp, listen to me. My father died last night.” “Died? The old man! Oh, Renny, Renny!” “He had been long ailing. I have been wandering all day to try to restore my shattered nerves. That is why I have not met Jason.” “Dead! The old, poor man! And you are alone?” “Yes, Zyp.” She broke down and wept long and sadly. “He was good to me,” she moaned, “and I requited his kindness ill. And now I come to worry you in your unhappiness.” “You came to lighten it with a glimpse of the old sweet nature--you and your pretty baby here.” “Do you think her pretty, Renny? He would have been fond of her, and he’s gone. What a world of death and misery!” “Now the mill is no place for you at present. Old Peggy is dead, too, and gone to her judgment. In a few days the house will be quit of mourning. Then you must all three come and live with me there, and we’ll make out life in company.” She sat clasping her little girl and staring at me, her lips parted, as she listened breathlessly. “That would be good,” she whispered. “Do you hear, baby? Mumby and Renna will lie down at last and go to sleep.” The child pressed her cheek to her mother’s and put her short arms about her neck with a sympathetic sigh. Her lot, I think, had been no base contrast with that of children better circumstanced. She was dressed even now as if from the fairy queen’s wardrobe, though Zyp’s poor clothes were stained and patched in a dozen places. Then my love--oh, may I not call her so now?--looked up at me sorrowfully over the brink of her short ecstasy. “Dear Renny,” she said, “how can it ever be as you say? Rest can never come to us while he lives.” “I have sworn, Zyp. I am confident and strong to grapple with this tragic Furioso. If he persists after one more warning we’ll set the law on him for a wandering lunatic.” “That I believe he is--oh!” she closed her eyes as if in an ineffable dream of peace and security. “The question is, what are you to do in the meantime?” “That’s soon settled. We came over Micheldever, only a few miles away. We’ll go back there and hire a single room in the village--I saw one to let that would suit us--and wait till you send for us.” “Very well. And what do you say to taking little Zyp back by yourself and leaving Jason here under my wing?” “If you think it best.”