“I thank you, gracious lady, for your consideration,” replied Alizon, gratefully; “but the sight was too painful.”

“What has become of her—­where is she gone?” cried Dorothy, peeping behind the tomb.  “She has crept into this vault, I suppose.”

“Do not trouble yourelf about her more, Dorothy,” said Mistress Nutter, resuming her wonted voice and wonted looks.  “Let us return to the house.  Thus much is ascertained, Alizon, that you are no child of your supposed parent.  Wait a little, and the rest shall be found out for you.  And, meantime, be assured that I take strong interest in you.”

“That we all do,” added Dorothy.

“Thank you! thank you!” exclaimed Alizon, almost overpowered.

With this they went forth, and, traversing the shafted aisle, quitted the conventual church, and took their way along the alley leading to the garden.

“Say not a word at present to Elizabeth Device of the information you have obtained, Alizon,” observed Mistress Nutter.  “I have reasons for this counsel, which I will afterwards explain to you.  And do you keep silence on the subject, Dorothy.”

“May I not tell Richard?” said the young lady.

“Not Richard—­not any one,” returned Mistress Nutter, “or you may seriously affect Alizon’s prospects.”

“You have cautioned me in time,” cried Dorothy, “for here comes my brother with our cousin Nicholas.”

And as she spoke a turn in the alley showed Richard and Nicholas Assheton advancing towards them.

A strange revolution had been produced in Alizon’s feelings by the events of the last half hour.  The opinions expressed by Dorothy Assheton, as to her birth, had been singularly confirmed by Mother Chattox; but could reliance be placed on the old woman’s assertions?  Might they not have been made with mischievous intent?  And was it not possible, nay, probable, that, in her place of concealment behind the tomb, the vindictive hag had overheard the previous conversation with Dorothy, and based her own declaration upon it?  All these suggestions occurred to Alizon, but the previous idea having once gained admission to her breast, soon established itself firmly there, in spite of doubts and misgivings, and began to mix itself up with new thoughts and wishes, with which other persons were connected; for she could not help fancying she might be well-born, and if so the vast distance heretofore existing between her and Richard Assheton might be greatly diminished, if not altogether removed.  So rapid is the progress of thought, that only a few minutes were required for this long train of reflections to pass through her mind, and it was merely put to flight by the approach of the main object of her thoughts.