THE ORDEAL It was the afternoon of an April day in that same year, and the sky was blue above, with little sailing white clouds catching the pleasant sunlight.

The earth in that northern country had scarcely yet put on her robe of green.

The few trees grew near brooks running down from the moors and the higher ground.

The air was full of pleasant sounds prophesying of the coming summer.

The rush, and murmur, and tinkle of the hidden watercourses; the song of the lark poised high up in the sunny air; the bleat of the lambs calling to their mothers--everything inanimate was full of hope and gladness.
For the first time for a mournful month the front door of Haytersbank Farm was open; the warm spring air might enter, and displace the sad dark gloom, if it could.