"I missed two of the
rogues, and who knows whither they may have gone?"
"Will there be time?" said the poor girl, looking round in terror.
"Certes. The nearest witch-finder is at Shields, and they cannot get
there and back under two days. Have you jewels, lady? And hark you,
trust not to Thora. She is the worst traitor of all. Ask me no
more, but be ready to come down when you hear a whistle."
That Thora could be a traitress and turn against her--the girl whom
she had taught, trained, and civilised--was too much to believe. She
would almost, in spite of cautions, have asked her if it were
possible, and tried to explain the true character of the services
that were so cruelly misinterpreted; but as she descended the dark
winding stair to supper, she heard the following colloquy:
"You will not deal hardly with her, good Ralph, dear Ralph?"
"That thou shalt see, maid! On thy life, not a word to her."
"Nay, but she is a white witch! she does no evil."
"What! Going back on what thou saidst of her brother and her mother.
Take thou heed, or they will take order with thee."
"Thou wilt take care of me, good Ralph. Oh! I have done it for
thee."
"Never fear, little one; only shut thy pretty little mouth;" and
there was a sound of kissing.
"What will they do to her?" in a lower voice.
"Thou wilt see! Sink or swim thou knowst. Ha! ha! She will have
enough of the draught that is so free to us.
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