Having spoken honestly and well and very unwisely, he looked at his watch and said that it was late.  When he rose to his feet Audrey did not move, and when he looked down upon her he saw that her eyes, that had been wet, were overflowing.  He put out his hand, and she took it and touched it with her lips; then, because he said that he had not meant to set her crying, she smiled, and with her own hand dashed away the tears.

“When I ride this way I shall always stop at the minister’s house,” said Haward, “when, if there is aught which you need or wish, you must tell me of it.  Think of me as your friend, child.”

He laid his hand lightly and caressingly upon her head.  The ruffles at his wrist, soft, fine, and perfumed, brushed her forehead and her eyes.  “The path through your labyrinth to its beechen heart was hard to find,” he continued, “but I can easily retrace it.  No, trouble not yourself, child.  Stay for a time where you are.  I wish to speak to the minister alone.”

His hand was lifted.  Audrey felt rather than saw him go.  Only a few feet, and the dogwood stars, the purple mist of the Judas-tree, the white fragrance of a wild cherry, came like a painted arras between them.  For a time she could hear the movement of the branches as he put them aside; but presently this too ceased, and the place was left to her and to all the life that called it home.

It was the same wood, surely, into which she had run two hours before, and yet—­and yet—­When her tears were spent, and she stood up, leaning, with her loosened hair and her gown that was the color of oak bark, against the beech-tree, she looked about her and wondered.  The wonder did not last, for she found an explanation.

“It has been blessed,” said Audrey, with all reverence and simplicity, “and that is why the light is so different.”

CHAPTER IX

MACLEAN TO THE RESCUE

Saunderson, the overseer, having laboriously written and signed a pass, laid down the quill, wiped his inky forefinger upon his sleeve, and gave the paper to the storekeeper, who sat idly by.

“Ye’ll remember that the store chiefly lacks in broadcloth of Witney, frieze and camlet, and in women’s shoes, both silk and callimanco.  And dinna forget to trade with Alick Ker for three small swords, a chafing dish, and a dozen mourning and hand-and-heart rings.  See that you have the skins’ worth.  Alick’s an awfu’ man to get the upper hand of.”

“I’m thinking a MacLean should have small difficulty with a Ker,” said the storekeeper dryly.  “What I’m wanting to know is why I am saddled with the company of Monsieur Jean Hugon.”  He jerked his thumb toward the figure of the trader standing within the doorway.  “I do not like the gentleman, and I’d rather trudge it to Williamsburgh alone.”