‘But that he did not, mistress,’ said I, something too pertly, I fear; ’for he bade the people hearken to the voice of God bearing witness against them.’

‘Did he so?’ cried she; ’the more was his impudence to wrest the heavenly sign in his favour.  But what make you then of the passing away of the storm when Mr. Truelocke began to preach, and of the sweet calm that had fallen on all things when he ended? was that a witness in favour of Quaker madness?’

‘Nay, I make nothing of it,’ said I; and Aunt Golding added,—­

’You would not interpret it as a sign of approval granted to Mr. Truelocke for his hasty resolve never to preach to us again?  For my part, I hope he will be persuaded otherwise.’

‘Truly I hope so,’ said Dame Bonithorne, her ruddy colour deepening; ‘for it’s too cruel an affront he puts on us poor people;’ and I know not how much more she might have said, but for Harry Truelocke, who now came up to the porch, and, beckoning Aunt Golding forth, whispered to her how Andrew had carried the Quaker to the Grange, and now desired her presence; at which we all set forth together, the rain having ceased; and on the road Harry tells us, what sore disquieted Aunt Golding, that the man had only come to West Fazeby on Andrew’s account.

‘It seems,’ said he, ’you met him on your road hither, when he was in the hands of some base fellows that had a mind to maul him—­do you remember such a matter?’ and Aunt Golding saying how she remembered it very well, Harry went on to say that the man, having noted Andrew’s willingness to serve him, had ever since ’had a concern on his mind for the good youth,’—­that was his phrase,—­and had been led to our village, and to the very church, being assured he would see Andrew there.  ’It’s a strange, mad story,’ quoth Harry.

Althea had given earnest heed to this tale, and now she asked, ’And what says Master Andrew to such wild talk?  I suppose he will use the poor deluded wretch gently and kindly, that’s his nature; but sure he will scorn his ravings?’

‘I cannot tell what Andrew may think in his heart,’ says Harry moodily; ’but he uses the man as if he thought him a saint or a martyr, or both.  I wish harm may not come of this day’s doings;’ and he fell into a gloomy silence.

I had never seen him look so nearly angry before.  We were now got to the Parsonage, and Harry arousing himself to take leave of us, our aunt says to him,—­

’I shall ask you to do me a great good turn, by bringing your father to sup with us at the Grange.  I would have him reason peaceably with yon poor distraught man, and convince him of his folly; so he may do a service to my Andrew also, if he has indeed a leaning to such delusions.’

‘Well, madam, I will do it for you,’ said Harry; ’but there is only one other person in the world to please whom I would bring my father into such odd company as yon man’s;’ and he went in, looking but half pleased; and as we took our way to the Grange I was musing who that other person might be Harry was so fain to please.