“I will gladly strive to do all I may,” answered Kate, who had been Lady Humbert’s companion now long enough to know much of her methods.

“It may well be that none will come,” said Lady Humbert cheerfully, with a smile and a nod of approval.  “These be ill days for travellers, and in the winter season few pass this way.  But such as do seek shelter from the storm or from hunger or peril must not be turned away disappointed.  Look to it, Kate.  I trust that matter to thee.  I shall ask thee for the account of thy stewardship on my return.”

And then the mistress of the house gathered her train together and set forth, riding her steady old horse as fearlessly as though she had been fifty years younger, and nodding a brisk farewell all round as she turned out of the gate upon the highway so close at hand.

Mistress Dowsabel wept feebly for a short while, and seemed disposed to start and tremble at every sound.  But Petronella got a book and settled herself to read to her, whilst she forgot her fears in the intricacies of her well-beloved tapestry work.  As for Kate, she called to Cherry, and began to set about those household duties which the mistress of the house had given into her charge, so that the timid invalid might be spared all trouble and anxiety.

Cherry was a very happy girl in those days.  Her position in that household was slightly anomalous, and at first it had been a little difficult to find the right niche for her.  As the niece of Dyson, who had summoned her thither to act in the capacity of lady’s maid, her place would by rights have been the servants’ hall and kitchen; but then, as Kate had seen at once, it would scarce be right for Cuthbert Trevlyn’s future wife to take so lowly a station as that of a serving wench.

Cuthbert was no longer the impecunious son of Nicholas Trevlyn, dependent upon his own wit and energy for the place he might hold in the world.  He was the finder of that vast hoard of lost treasure, which had proved so far more valuable than the most sanguine hopes had pictured.  By every rule of right and justice a large share of this treasure should come to him.  He would be a man of wealth and station; and it had been openly announced by these sisters of the house of Wyvern that they intended to make him their heir.  They had taken a great liking to him.  They had no near kindred of their own.  He was the grandson of one of the Wyverns, and a degree nearer them than the other Trevlyns, so they were quite resolved upon this step.

So when Kate, with the courage and frankness inherent in her nature, had told the old ladies of Cuthbert’s betrothal, Petronella adding all she knew of the constancy of her brother’s attachment to Martin Holt’s daughter, Lady Humbert recognized in a moment that it would not do to treat the girl as a mere dependent.  She must be admitted to some other position, and trained for that station in life to which her marriage would entitle her.