The moon set, and, in the grey dawn the old woman fell asleep. It was then that the birds began to twitter in the copse hard by, through which the beck babbled when it had run by the door. At the first low whistle of a blackbird, Barbara awoke.
CHAPTER II
The Sisters
Lucy was still lying fast asleep in bed. Barbara called softly, "Lucy, Lucy," but there was no reply. Then she laid her hand upon the sleeper's breast. Some hands have a power to thrill the spirit of those they touch. Such power had Barbara Lynn's.
Lucy stirred. She opened her eyes, and saw her sister bending over her, with hair unbound and glistening like a misty golden cloud.
"If I were on my death-bed," she murmured, "I should be fancying thee an angel out of heaven."
Barbara smiled slowly.
"It's time you were waking," she replied, and began to gather up her long locks, pleating them round her head.
Lucy flung back the coverlet, and drew her knees up to her chin.