flaming from every point of her raiment. When she caught sight of Anne's
reflection in the glass before her, she turned and stood staring at her
in wonder.

"What--nay, what is this?" she cried. "What do you come for? On my
soul, you come for something--or you have gone mad."

Anne started forward, trembling, her hands clasped upon her breast, and
fell at her feet with sobs.

"Yes, yes," she gasped, "I came--for something--to speak--to pray you--!
Sister--Clorinda, have patience with me--till my courage comes again!"
and she clutched her robe.

Something which came nigh to being a shudder passed through Mistress
Clorinda's frame; but it was gone in a second, and she touched
Anne--though not ungently--with her foot, withdrawing her robe.

"Do not stain it with your tears," she said "'twould be a bad omen."

Anne buried her face in her hands and knelt so before her.

"'Tis not too late!" she said--"'tis not too late yet."

"For what?" Clorinda asked. "For what, I pray you tell me, if you can
find your wits. You go beyond my patience with your folly."

"Too late to stop," said Anne--"to draw back and repent."

"What?" commanded Clorinda--"what then should I repent me?"