w the new life suits you.'

'Bless you, honey!' cried she, affectionately returning my embrace.
'Only let us get shut of this wicked house, and we'll do right enough,
you'll see.'

'So think I,' was my answer; and so that point was settled.

By that morning's post I despatched a few hasty lines to Frederick,
beseeching him to prepare my asylum for my immediate reception: for I
should probably come to claim it within a day after the receipt of that
note: and telling him, in few words, the cause of my sudden resolution.
I then wrote three letters of adieu: the first to Esther Hargrave, in
which I told her that I found it impossible to stay any longer at
Grassdale, or to leave my son under his father's protection; and, as it
was of the last importance that our future abode should be unknown to him
and his acquaintance, I should disclose it to no one but my brother,
through the medium of whom I hoped still to correspond with my friends.
I then gave her his address, exhorted her to write frequently, reiterated
some of my former admonitions regarding her own concerns, and bade her a
fond farewell.

The second was to Milicent; much to the same effect, but a little more
confidential, as befitted our longer intimacy, and her greater experience
and better acquaintance with my circumstances.

The third was to my aunt: a much more difficult and painful undertaking,
and therefore I had left it to the last; but I must give her some
explanation of that extraordinary step I had taken: and that quickly, for
she and my uncle would no doubt hear of it within a day or two after my
disappearance, as it was probable that Mr. Huntingdon would speedily
apply to them to know what was become of me. At last, however, I told
her I was sensible of my error: I did not complain of its punishment, and
I was sorry to trouble my friends with its consequences; but in duty to
my son I must submit no longer; it was absolutely necessary that he
should be delivered from his father's corrupting influence. I should not
disclose my place of refuge even to her, in order that she and my uncle
might be able, with truth, to deny all knowledge concerning it; but any
communications addressed to me under cover to my brother would be certain
to reach me. I hoped she and my uncle would pardon the step I had taken,
for if they knew all, I was sure they would not blame me; and I trusted
they would not afflict themselves on my account, for if I could only
reach my