Chapter 7

Not believing any of the prophecies, Matthew soon dismissed the sheer nonsense and prepared for leaving. Returning to the house, he removed the blanket and sheets Arabella had used the night before and washed them. Arabella stood watching with a scowl as Matthew made the bed with fresh sheets, while Madam Nora fixed them a generous breakfast. Too famished to cling to her pride now, Arabella sat eating with them at the table, trying not to gulp the food while Matthew made conversation with the madam during the meal. Later, after he'd finished helping the madam with the dishes, Matthew bid farewell,

"Thank you, Madam. We owe you a debt of gratitude for all your help."

Arabella put her necklace on the table nearby and said grudgingly,

"Here, take it. I don't want to be indebted to anyone."

"No worries, young lady. You don't owe me anything, but you owe every other breath you take to the young man."

The Gypsy woman took the