Someone who really knew?  Nay! that someone could only be Marmaduke, and of him she dared not ask questions.

Mayhap that on the other hand the old woman and Richard Lambert knew more than they had cared to say.  Sue was indeed deeply absorbed in thoughts, walking with head bent and eyes fixed on the ground like a somnambulist.  Editha, moved by unreasoning instinct, determined to see the Quakeress again, also the man who now lay dead, hoping that from him mayhap she might glean the real solution of that mystery which sooner or later would undoubtedly drive her mad.

Running rapidly past horse and rider, for she would not speak to Marmaduke, she reached the cottage soon enough.

In response to her knock, Master Lambert opened the door to her.

The dim light of a couple of tallow candles flickered weirdly in the draught.  Editha looked around her in amazement, astonished that—­like herself—­Squire Boatfield had also evidently retraced his steps and was sitting now in one of the high-backed chairs beside the hearth, whilst the old Quakeress stood not far from him, her attitude indicative of obstinacy, even of defiance, in the face of a duty with which apparently the squire had been charging her.

At sight of Mistress de Chavasse, Boatfield rose.  A look of annoyance crossed his face, at thought that Editha’s arrival had, mayhap, endangered the success of his present purpose.  Ink and paper were on the table close to his elbow, and it was obvious that he had been questioning the old woman very closely on a subject which she apparently desired to keep secret from him.

Mistress Lambert’s attitude had also changed at sight of Editha, who stood for a moment undecided on the threshold ere she ventured within.  The look of obstinacy died out of the wrinkled face; the eyes took on a strange expression of sullen wrath.

“Enter, my fine lady, I pray thee, enter,” said the Quakeress; “art also a party to these cross-questionings? ... art anxious to probe the secrets which the old woman hath kept hidden within the walls of this cottage?”

She laughed, a low, chuckling laugh, mirthless and almost cruel, as she surveyed Editha’s cloaked figure and then the lady’s scared and anxious face.

“Nay, I crave your pardon, mistress,” said Editha, feeling oddly timid before the strange personality of the Quakeress.  “I would of a truth desire to ask your help in ... in ...  I would not intrude ... and I ...”

“Nay! nay! prithee enter, fair mistress,” rejoined Mistress Lambert dryly.  “Strange, that I should hear thy words so plainly....  Thy words seem to find echo in my brain ... raising memories which thou hast buried long ago....  Enter, I prithee, and sit thee down,” she added, shuffling towards the chair; “shut the door, Dick lad ... and ask this fair mistress to sit....  The squire is asking many questions ... mayhap that I’ll answer them, now that she is here....”