ballads handed down from minstrel to minstrel, from nurse to nurse,
and they sat entranced, listening to the stories, more than even Hal
knew she possessed, and holding one another by the hand as they
listened.

Meantime the snow had ceased--it was but a scud of early autumn on
the mountains--the sun came out with bright slanting beams before his
setting, there was a soft south wind; and Hob, when he came in,
growled out that the thaw had set in, and he should be able to take
the maid back in the morning. He sat scowling and silent during
supper, and ordered Hal about with sharp sternness, sending him out
to attend to the litter of the cattle, before all had finished, and
manifestly treated him as the shepherd's boy, the drudge of the
house, and threatening him with a staff if he lingered, soon
following himself. Mother Dolly insisted on putting the little lady
to bed before they should return, and convent-bred Anne had
sufficient respect for proprieties to see that it was becoming. She
heard no more that night.




CHAPTER III. OVER THE MOOR



In humblest, simplest habit clad,
But these were all to me.--GOLDSMITH.