Cuthbert’s love of learning and eager wish to improve his scholarship drew him almost daily to the dark little shop in the bridge, wedged in, as it were, between two larger and more imposing structures, where the father and son plied a modest trade and lived somewhat hazardously; for they did not hesitate to circulate pamphlets and leaflets the sale of which had been forbidden, and which might at any time get them into serious trouble with the authorities, and lead to imprisonment, if not to death.

But to return to the pair now closely approaching their home, and lagging somewhat in their walk to prolong the talk for a few minutes.  Cherry was in a fever of curiosity and impatience, and longed to hear her lover speak the word.

“It is so long to wait till May Day; and I trow that she could tell us all.  Say, Cuthbert, shall we go to her?”

It was sweet to Cuthbert to hear the little word “we” dropping so naturally from Cherry’s lips.  He pressed the hand that lay upon his arm, and looked down into the upraised eager face.

“Wilt thou go with me an I go?”

“To be sure I will.  I should love to be thy companion.”

“And brave thy father’s wrath should he find out?”

Cherry clung yet closer to his arm.

“I fear nothing when thou art beside me, Cuthbert.  I would go with thee to death.”

He stooped and kissed her eagerly, passionately.

“Then thy sweet will shall be law,” he answered, “and I will go as soon as thou canst make shift to take me.”

Cherry uttered a little cry of delight.

“Ah, how pleased I am—­how pleased I am!  We will go this very week, so soon as the Yuletide stir be past.  O Cuthbert, Cuthbert, what a wondrous day this has been!  Methinks it must surely be a dream.  But thou art no dream; thou art real and true.  So long as thou art near me and with me, I shall know that it is all true.”

Chapter 9:  The Wise Woman.

“Cuthbert! alas, Cuthbert!”

“Why, how now?  What ails thee, Cherry?”

“Cuthbert, my father hath been speaking with me.”

“Well, and wherefore not?  Thy father is no stern tyrant like mine, sweet coz.”

Cherry was panting with excitement and what appeared like terror.  She clung fast to Cuthbert’s arm, and her eyes were dilated with fear.  She was an excitable little mortal, so he did not feel any great alarm at her looks, but strove to reassure her in a friendly, brotherly fashion.  The Christmas festivities and excitements, which had lasted above a week, had doubtless done something to upset the balance of her mind.  She had been so extravagantly and overwhelmingly happy with the remembrance of her adventure at Lord Andover’s house, and her knowledge of the secret between herself and Cuthbert, that the young man had felt half afraid lest she should contrive to betray it to others by her blushes, her bright,