Yet I have heard the tale so ofttimes told that methinks I see myself the threatening crowd hooting the old woman to her fiery death, the stern knight and his servants watching that the cruel law was carried out, and the gipsy tribe hanging on the outskirts of the wood, yet not daring to adventure themselves into the midst of the infuriated villagers, watching all, and treasuring up the curses and maledictions poured upon the proud head of Sir Richard as the old woman went to her death." "A cruel death, in all truth," said Cuthbert.

"Yet why hold Sir Richard in fault?
He was not the maker of that law; he was but the instrument used for its enforcement, the magistrate bound to see the will of the sovereign performed.

Most like he could not help himself, were his heart never so pitiful.

I trow the Trevlyns have always done their duty; yet I misdoubt me if by nature they have been sterner or more cruel than other men." A faint smile flickered round the lips of the gipsy.

She went on with her story without heeding this plea.
"They had made shift to see her once before her death--my mother, my father, and Esther with them.