Cold as the March wind blew, they had not felt it, and had sate down on a hedge bank for Bell to rest.

And then Sylvia spoke, trembling and sick for fear, yet utterly unable to keep silence any longer.

Bell heaved up her hands, and let them fall down on her knees before she replied.
'The Lord is above us,' said she, solemnly.

'He has sent a fear o' this into my heart afore now.

I niver breathed it to thee, my lass----' 'And I niver spoke on it to thee, mother, because----' Sylvia choked with crying, and laid her head on her mother's lap, feeling that she was no longer the strong one, and the protector, but the protected.