, unsubject to the will of another. All these thoughts were rolling
and seething in George's breast, as he was pensively leaning his head
on his hand, watching his wife, as she was adapting to her slender and
pretty form the articles of man's attire, in which it was deemed safest
she should make her escape.

"Now for it," said she, as she stood before the glass, and shook down
her silky abundance of black curly hair. "I say, George, it's almost a
pity, isn't it," she said, as she held up some of it, playfully,--"pity
it's all got to come off?"

George smiled sadly, and made no answer.

Eliza turned to the glass, and the scissors glittered as one long lock
after another was detached from her head.

"There, now, that'll do," she said, taking up a hair-brush; "now for a
few fancy touches."

"There, an't I a pretty young fellow?" she said, turning around to her
husband, laughing and blushing at the same time.

"You always will be pretty, do what you will," said George.

"What does make you so sober?" said Eliza, kneeling on one knee, and
laying her hand on his. "We are only within twenty-four hours of Canada,
they say. Only a day and a night on the lake, and then--oh, then!--"

"O, Eliza!" said George, drawing her towards him; "that is it! Now my
fate is all narrowing down to a point. To come so near, to be almost in
sight, and then lose all. I should never live under it, Eliza."

"Don't fear," said his wife, hopefully. "The good Lord would not have
brought us so far, if he didn't mean to carry us through. I seem to feel
him with us, George."

"You are a blessed woman, Eliza!" said George, clasping her with a
convulsive grasp. "But,--oh, tell me! can this great mercy be for us?
Will these years and years of misery come to an end?--shall we be free?

"I am sure of it, George," said Eliza, looking upward, while tears of
hope and enthusiasm shone on her long, dark lashes. "I feel it in me,
that God is going to bring us out of bondage, this very day."

"I will believe you, Eliza," said George, rising suddenly up, "I will
believe,--come let's be off. Well, indeed," said he, holding her off at
arm's length, and looking admiringly at her, "you _are_ a pretty little
fellow. That crop of little, short curls, is quite becoming. Put on your
cap. So--a little to one side. I never saw you look quite so pretty.
But, it's almost time for the carriage;--I wonder if Mrs. Smyth has got
Harry rigged?"

The door opened, and a re