the other proudly, "and that never
yet was violated. If you cannot take that, I know the worst you can do.
But I had forgot--I have a poor helpless child without, waiting and
starving about the prison door. Surely it was of her that I wished to
speak. This shameful death of mine will leave her in a deplorable
state."

"The girl seems to have candour and strong affections," said Mrs.
Logan. "I grievously mistake if such a child would not be a thousand
times better without such a guardian and director."

"Then will you be so kind as to come to the Grass Market and see me put
down?" said the prisoner. "I thought a woman would estimate a woman's
and a mother's feelings, when such a dreadful throw was at stake, at
least in part. But you are callous, and have never known any feelings
but those of subordination to your old unnatural master. Alas, I have
no cause of offence! I have wronged you; and justice must take its
course. Will you forgive me before we part?"

Mrs. Logan hesitated, for her mind ran on something else. On which the
other subjoined: "No, you will not forgive me, I see. But you will pray
to God to forgive me? I know you will do that."

Mrs. Logan heard not this jeer, but, looking at the prisoner with an
absent and stupid stare, she said: "Did you know my late master?"

"Ay, that I did, and never for any good," said she. "I knew the old and
the young spark both, and was by when the latter was slain."

This careless sentence affected Mrs. Logan in a most peculiar manner. A
shower of tears burst from her eyes ere it was done, and, when it was,
she appeared like one bereaved of her mind. She first turned one way
and then another, as if looking for something she had dropped. She
seemed to think she had lost her eyes, instead of her tears, and at
length, as by instinct, she tottered close up to the prisoner's face,
and, looking wistfully and joyfully in it, said, with breathless
earnestness: "Pray, mistress, what is your name?"

"My name is Arabella Calvert," said the other. "Miss, mistress, or
widow, as you choose, for I have been all the three, and that not once
nor twice only. Ay, and something beyond all these. But, as for you,
you have never been anything!"

"Ay, ay! and so you are Bell Calvert? Well, I thought so--I thought
so," said Mrs. Logan; and, helping herself to a seat, she came and sat
down dose by the prisoner's knee. "So you are indeed Bell Calvert, so
called once. Well, of all the world you