"Sister," he said; "this is a wayfarer who needs shelter for the night; she is wet and weary.

Do you take her up to your room and lend her some dry clothing; then make her a cup of warm posset, which she needs sorely.

I will fetch an armful of fresh rushes from the shed and strew them here: I will sleep in the smithy.

Quick, girl," he said sharply; "she is fainting with cold and fatigue." And as he spoke he caught the woman as she was about to fall, and laid her gently on the ground.

"She is of better station than she seems," he said to his sister; "like enough some poor lady whose husband has taken part in the troubles; but that is no business of ours.