It was far on towards midday, and she was alone; still no answer came to her question.

She threw herself on the settle, and buried her face in her hands.

She was in too much agony to weep.

What had she done?
What could she do?
When she lifted her eyes, Liza Branthwaite was beside her, looking amazed and even frightened.
"What has happened, lass ?" said Liza fearfully.
Then Rotha, having no other heart to trust with her haunting secret, confided it to this simple girl.
"And what can I do ?" she added in a last word.
During the narration, Liza had been kneeling, with her arms in her friend's lap.

Jumping up when Rotha had ceased, she cried, in reply to the last inquiry, "I know.