Whether the postilion were in their master’s confidence or not is not certain, but just before midnight they plunged into a narrow, miry road that traversed wastes and low coppices; the plash of the horses’ feet showed the tract to be marshy and full of pools.  Her ladyship looked out across the dreary fen and exclaimed,—­

“I’ll be damned, they have set us out like ducks!” At her words Katherine drew from her with disgust.  It was the first she had heard her swear; but she had not yet seen her true nature.

On a sudden the chaise made a lunge and stopped in a deep rut.  Some one plodded laboriously to the door and thrust in a rain-soaked visage, saying,—­

“Their Graces beg your patience, as we cannot move until help comes.  There is a light ahead, and we hope to get on directly.”

It was hours, however, before the lumbering equipages were pried out and started on.  The light beyond had paled as dawn broke.  They were once more upon the causeway, and the horses’ feet beating with loud and even step upon the wet road.

Constance had calmed, and with the other occupants slept through the long delay.  Nor did she wake until they had entered a thick wood where the branches of the trees swept tumultuously against the window.  Then she opened her eyes with a start and saw Katherine still sleeping, her head pillowed on Janet’s bosom.  Her limbs were stiff from their cramped position.  Vainly she essayed to stretch, and cried out as a rheumatic pain took her.  She swore roundly and vowed she would alight at the first hut they should come upon.

It seemed hours before they came to a long, low stone building, evidently an old-time lodge.  It was covered with ivy that trembled and glistened in the wind and rain.

The chaises stopped at the door, which was thrown open by an outrider who knocked up the locker with his whip handle.

The opening disclosed great, high-backed pews and an altar and pulpit.  It was indeed a place of refuge to the weary travellers.  It was dry and clean and afforded rest.  Katherine stepped inside first, and immediately knelt and crossed herself.  Monmouth did the same, knowing that the maid’s eyes were upon him.

They took seats not far from the altar and settled themselves comfortably; for the servants had gone to find food and fresh horses.

Katherine was stirred by the sacredness of the day and place, and took little part in the conversation that was becoming more and more animated, as the Dukes and Constance drank heavily of wine brought from Monmouth’s box in the chaise.  And when meat, bread and cheese were brought and more wine was drank, her ladyship became maudlin and cast her eye about for diversion.

It fell upon the pulpit, and she tripped up to it, passing over the sacred altar in vulgar insouciance.

It pained Katherine to see the place so lightly esteemed, and she gave a little cry of “Oh!” as Constance threw open the Bible and began to preach in mockery of the Methody parson.