Yes, she was weary, and a strange unaccustomed langour crept over her; she would rest there this night also.
So they went back to the hut, and made ready their evening meal, and as she fried the fish over the fire of peats, verily Lysbeth found herself laughing like a girl again.

Then they ate it with appetite, and after it was done, Mother Martha prayed aloud; yes, and without fear, although she knew Lysbeth to be a Catholic, read from her one treasure, a Testament, crouching there in the light of the fire and saying: "See, lady, what a place this is for a heretic to hide in.

Where else may a woman read from the Bible and fear no spy or priest ?" Remembering a certain story, Lysbeth shivered at her words.
"Now," said the Mare, when she had finished reading, "tell me before you sleep, what it was that brought you into the waters of the Haarlemer Meer, and what that Spanish man has done to you.

Do not be afraid, for though I am mad, or so they say, I can keep counsel, and between you and me are many bonds, Carolus van Hout's daughter, some of which you know and see, and some that you can neither know nor see, but which God will weave in His own season." Lysbeth looked at the weird countenance, distorted and made unhuman by long torment of body and mind, and found in it something to trust; yes, even signs of that sympathy which she so sorely needed.

So she told her all the tale from the first word of it to the last.
The Mare listened in silence, for no story of evil perpetrated by a Spaniard seemed to move or astonish her, only when Lysbeth had done, she said: "Ah! child, had you but known of me, and where to find me, you should have asked my aid." "Why, mother, what could you have done ?" answered Lysbeth.
"Done?
I would have followed him by night until I found my chance in some lonely place, and there I would have----" Then she stretched out her bony hand to the red light of the fire, and Lysbeth saw that in it was a knife.
She sank back aghast.
"Why are you frightened, my pretty lady ?" asked the Mare.