"No one, my child; it came in a letter, and we never mentioned a word of it to a living soul."
"A letter to you and none to me; but who told me, I say? or when did I dream something like it? I wish all this was clear. Nelson writes to you, and yet I know beforehand what news the letter brings. It has kept me awake nights, but in the daytime fell back into dreams again."
She stood a moment with one hand to her forehead, then dropped it, and said, quickly:
"Let me read his letter, may I?"
The old man opened the great Bible, and took the letter from between its leaves. She knelt down upon the hearth and read it through.
"Yes," she said, "it is true. He has gone. I might search the world over and never find him. They might kill me, and my husband never hear of it. This is worse than their threats, worse than death, for it shuts out all hope. Where could I go? The world is so wide, and I have not learned the way anywhere."
"Oh, if you could but stay with us till he comes!" exclaimed the old lady.
"But they will not let me. To-morrow, perhaps, those men will come here and force you to give me up."
"I never will, never on earth," cried the old woman, flushing with the generous courage that filled her heart. "They shall tear me all to pieces first."
The old man stood up. The solemn thoughtfulness had left his face, and it was sadly calm, as if some painful doubt had left his mind. He went up to Katharine and laid both hands on her head. She looked at him with her sad eyes, and almost smiled, his face was so pleasant that it reassured her.