Zachary had made full provision for his mistress’s journey. The horses were ready, and the baggage-mules also. He rode himself before Mrs Collenwood, and an old trustworthy man-servant was to sit in front of Pandora. All was ready for proceeding at half-an-hour’s notice, and Mrs Collenwood determined to go on at once.
When it came to the leave-taking, she drew a gold ring from her finger, and gave it to Tom Hartley, with a promise that his master should hear through Roger Hall, so soon as the latter deemed it safe, of the very essential service which he had rendered her. Then she turned to Roger himself.
“But to you, Mr Hall,” she said, “how can I give thanks, or in what words clothe them? Verily, I am bankrupt therein, and can only thank you to say I know not how.”
“Dear mistress,” answered Roger, “have you forgot that ’tis I owe thanks to you, that you seek to magnify my simple act into so great deserving? They that of their kindness cheer my little suffering Christie’s lonely life, deserve all the good that I can render them. My little maid prayed me to say unto you both that she sent you her right loving commendations, and that she would pray for your safe journey every day the whilst it should last, and for your safety and good weal afterward. She should miss you both sorely, quoth she; but she would pray God to bless you, and would strive to her utmost to abide by all your good and kindly counsel given unto her.”
“Dear little Christie!” said Pandora affectionately. “I pray you, Master Hall, tell her I shall never forget her, and I trust God may grant us to meet again in peace.”
“I cast no doubt of that, Mistress Pandora,” was the grave answer, “though ’twill be, very like, in a better land than this.”
“And I do hope,” added she, “that Mistress Benden may ere long be set free.”
Roger shook his head.
“I have given up that hope,” he said; “yea, well-nigh all hopes, for this lower world.”
“There is alway hope where God is,” said Mrs Collenwood.