"No, sir; if you do me a favour, please kindly to let off the little chap who bravely spoke out the truth and cleared me."
"I've done that already, at the request of my good friend the vicar," said the knight. "I want to do something else, my fine fellow, to show my feeling towards yourself."
"Then, sir, if you'd have the kindness not to send my sister here adrift at Michaelmas: she has a love for her little cabin, and is sore loath to leave it."
"As long as you remain here," said the knight, "I give you my word that the cottage shall stand."
Bessy poured out a torrent of thanks and blessings to which no one gave heed, while Ned Franks simply replied, "I thank you, sir, kindly."
Then, turning towards the vicar, he expressed in few but heartfelt words his gratitude towards him and his lady.
"Depend upon it, Ned Franks," said Mr. Curtis, "a man who will not speak an untruth either for fear or for favour, is never likely to want a friend. He only can walk on the straight path freely, firmly, fearlessly, who keeps the Master's command in mind and wears the Girdle of Truth."
THE END.