Then Rotha, having no other heart to trust with her haunting secret,
confided it to this simple girl.

"And what can I do?" she added in a last word.

During the narration, Liza had been kneeling, with her arms in her
friend's lap. Jumping up when Rotha had ceased, she cried, in reply to
the last inquiry, "I know. I'll just slip away to Robbie. He shall be
off and fetch your father back."

"Robbie?" said Rotha, looking astonished.

"Never fear, _I'll_ manage _him_. And now, cheer up, my lass; cheer
up."

In another moment Liza was running at her utmost speed down the
lonnin.




CHAPTER XXV.

LIZA'S DEVICE.


When she reached the road, the little woman turned towards Wythburn.
Never pausing for an instant, she ran on and on, passing sundry groups
of the country folks, and rarely waiting to exchange more than the
scant civilities of a hasty greeting.