retreat in safety and keep it unmolested, I should be very
happy, but for the thoughts of them; and should be quite contented to
spend my life in obscurity, devoting myself to the training up of my
child, and teaching him to avoid the errors of both his parents.

These things were done yesterday: I have given two whole days to the
preparation for our departure, that Frederick may have more time to
prepare the rooms, and Rachel to pack up the things: for the latter task
must be done with the utmost caution and secrecy, and there is no one but
me to assist her. I can help to get the articles together, but I do not
understand the art of stowing them into the boxes, so as to take up the
smallest possible space; and there are her own things to do, as well as
mine and Arthur's. I can ill afford to leave anything behind, since I
have no money, except a few guineas in my purse; and besides, as Rachel
observed, whatever I left would most likely become the property of Miss
Myers, and I should not relish that.

But what trouble I have had throughout these two days, struggling to
appear calm and collected, to meet him and her as usual, when I was
obliged to meet them, and forcing myself to leave my little Arthur in her
hands for hours together! But I trust these trials are over now: I have
laid him in my bed for better security, and never more, I trust, shall
his innocent lips be defiled by their contaminating kisses, or his young
ears polluted by their words. But shall we escape in safety? Oh, that
the morning were come, and we were on our way at least! This evening,
when I had given Rachel all the assistance I could, and had nothing left
me but to wait, and wish and tremble, I became so greatly agitated that I
knew not what to do. I went down to dinner, but I could not force myself
to eat. Mr. Huntingdon remarked the circumstance.

'What's to do with you now?' said he, when the removal of the second
course gave him time to look about him.

'I am not well,' I replied: 'I think I must lie down a little; you won't
miss me much?'

'Not the least: if you leave your chair, it'll do just as well--better, a
trifle,' he muttered, as I left the room, 'for I can fancy somebody else
fills it.'

'Somebody else may fill it to-morrow,' I thought, but did not say.
'There! I've seen the last of you, I hope,' I muttered, as I closed the
door upon him.

Rachel urged me to seek repose at once, to recruit my strength for
to-morrow's