hem see it. But compose yourself. Put down your veil; say
nothing till I call you--and may God, in his mercy, grant that our
ordeal be short!"

These words were uttered with a composure and cheerful presence of
mind which reassured in some degree the fainting girl. She had at her
side a protector who would never desert her--a pilot with a strong
arm, a steady eye, and a bold heart--who would steer her through the
wild storm, if any human being could.

Mrs. Clifford, speechless with terror, let down her daughter's veil as
well as her shaking hands permitted, and was led by Franklin from the
carriage into the house. He then handed, or rather lifted, out
Caroline, who clung to him with helplessness and terror. The trembling
party--a hundred unfeeling eyes bent upon them--were conducted
through the shop to a back parlor, into the presence of Mr. Jennings,
the only one of the firm of Blake, Blanchard & Co. who happened to be
at home. As Franklin saw him his heart sank in his bosom, and the
courage which had begun to mount with the danger, seemed a mockery.

Mr. Jennings was a respectable looking man of forty, of a thin, hard
countenance, repelling manners, and sharp voice, which, when excited,
rose to a piercing and discordant note. There was no sign of mercy or
moderation in his physiognomy. This man, who, after faithful
subordinate services, had become the inferior and hardest working
partner, happened to be afflicted with a very violent temper, which
had been wrought into a rage by various recent purloinings, apparently
like the present, attributed to female customers, and perpetrated with
a combined cunning and daring which baffled detection, and he had long
yearned to lay his hand upon one of them. His passions and interests
were mingled together in this desire, which, in addition, he supposed
fully sanctioned by duty; and when a man, and particularly such a man,
of a narrow mind and cold heart--loving power, and rarely enabled to
taste its sweets, once gets into his head the idea that he is acting
from duty--God help the poor victim that falls within his grasp.

Such was the individual before whom, in the attitude of a detected
criminal, was dragged the sweet and trembling girl. Such was the man
before whom Franklin stood, curbing within the limits of prudence his
high wrought feelings.

"Now, my honest women," said Jennings, seating himself magisterially
in a large arm-chair by a table, while the rest stood in a