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And after supper, as Ralph and Bertha sat talking confidingly with each other at the window, he sent his daughter a quick, sharp glance, and then, without ceremony, commanded her to go to bed. Ralph's heart gave a great thump within him; not because he feared the old man, but because his words, as well as his glances, revealed to him the sad history of these long, patient years.

Indeed but for this man's skill, the sleeping medicines he gave him to quiet his mind, and, above all, a certain special mercy which shall be told of in its place, I think that Ralph would have died. As it was, seven long weeks went by before he could sit upon a horse. Before the waggon left her, Sihamba took from it Ralph's gun, a very good roer, together with powder and bullets.

"We are condemned men," he said; "and if the law takes its course, in six days we are to die; but in less time than that we will be dead already if they keep us in that hell on earth." The chaplain stared at Ralph's face with a look compounded equally of amazement and fear. "Take him away," he cried nervously to the guard, who had now regained possession of their prisoner.

With the coming of the broad shadows which lay among the stiff, ice-fringed spruces like iris velvet, Doctor Ralph's nieces and nephews went flying out to help old Asher feed the stock. By the quiet fire the Doctor beckoned Ralph. "Suppose, my boy," he said, "suppose you take a look at the little lad's leg here. I've sometimes wondered what you would think of it."

"Halt!" shouted Sir Robert; "we are past the half-way stone. Earl Ivo's and Earl Ralph's men are answerable now for the prisoner." "Treason!" shouted Ivo's men, and one would have struck Hereward through with his lance; but Winter was too quick for him, and bore him from his saddle; and then dragged Hereward out of the fight.

The prosecution here rested, Bronson maintaining that there was enough evidence to justify Ralph's committal to await trial. But the court thought that as the defendant had no counsel and offered no rebutting testimony, it would be only fair to hear what the prisoner had to say in his own defense. All this while poor Ralph was looking about the room for Bud.

The hard, benumbed look in Ralph's face thawed in the warmth of her presence, and her words, though stern, touched a secret spring in his heart. He made two or three vain attempts to speak, then suddenly broke down, and cried: "Bertha, Bertha, even if you scorn me, have patience with me, and listen."

Sir Ralph's ox carts in an interview with Churchin dwindled down to a possible two; but Jan got a letter in the evening saying that there were ten country carts for the next morning. Six were for us and four for the "Stobarts," and that we were to take the Indian tents with us. We went back to the tents early to get a good start next day. Rogerson and Willett were sorting their clothes.

"Keep it the day after to-morrow you remember our customs, sometimes more honored, you know, in the breach than the observance you can hold to your resolve that day; you must hold to it, for everything hangs on it. It is a terrible hazard." Robbie put his hand in Ralph's, and the two stalwart dalesmen looked steadily each into the other's face.

With a sudden access of humility Darsie was about to turn tail and put the poor man's dinner back in its hiding-place, when from across the lawn she met Ralph's eyes fixed upon her with an expression of patronising commiseration. He was pitying her, because she had come back empty-handed when sharper eyes had reaped so rich a harvest!