ntly a highly accomplished penman. She hastened
to examine the purport of the billet, which read as follows:

"Your appeal to us for assistance was not made in vain. We are fully
satisfied of Duffel's wicked and base intentions toward us, and are
resolved to thwart them. You shall be brought out of this den, and behold
again the sunlight of heaven. By the day after to-morrow we will have our
arrangements completed, when you may expect to hear from us again. Hold
yourself in readiness to leave this place at any moment. Is this
satisfactory to you, fair lady?"

There was no name to this; but it needed none to tell Eveline from whom it
came. She knew it was from Duffel's accomplices, and rejoicing in the
success of her plan, she replied to the inquiry at the close with alacrity:

"Yes, my good friends, this is eminently satisfactory. May God bless you,
as you help me."

"Thank you for the confidence you place in us! we will endeavor to reward
your expectations by delivering you from this dismal prison, at the very
earliest moment possible. Will you now be so good as to burn the little
strip of paper, lest by some unfortunate accident it might betray us to our
mutual enemy, and thereby frustrate our plans?"

"Yes, sir, I will burn it immediately."

"Thank you. Keep up your courage, and be of good cheer."

"Accept my warmest gratitude for your generous aid, gentlemen; and be
assured you shall not go unrewarded for the great service you render me."

"We ask no pay. The service you speak of will be most cheerfully and gladly
rendered; and in your enlargement and the defeat of Duffel, we shall be
more than a thousand times rewarded for the small efforts we shall be
compelled to put forth in your behalf. And now adieu!"

"Adieu, gentlemen, and may Heaven bless you, in your efforts on my behalf."

It would be impossible to describe the feelings of Eveline at the close of
this interview, separated though she was from her expected deliverers by a
door of adamant. She did not take time to think into whose hands she was
about to fall; in her gratitude and enthusiasm she forgot that they were
ruffians, and clothed them in garments and with the glory of heroes, who
for her sake risked their lives! Oh had she seen the blackness of heart
which lay at the bottom of their seeming heroism and noble deeds, how her
poor heart would have grown sick, and her bright hopes gone out in midnight
darkness!

She retired to her room, bolted