roadbent; I have his consent to my sleeping in the dressing-room.
I am just going home to fetch my things. Let me find you gone when I
come back. You will hear no more to-night. Even if he is found, they
will keep him till morning.'

'It is of no use; I can't sleep.'

'Even if you don't, the mere restful position will make you fitter for
the morrow. Will you promise me to undress and really go to bed?'

'Oh yes! if you say I must,' said Nuttie drearily; following an
instinct of obedience.

'And remember,' he said, 'though I do not say it will be so, this may
be deliverance from bondage.'

'But what a terrible deliverance!'

'Bonds are not burst without something terrible. No; don't be
frightened. Remember there is safekeeping for that sweet little
fellow, wherever he may be.'

'Oh, Mr. Dutton, if I could pray for him; but the turmoil seems to have
driven away all such things! My boy, my boy, where is he now? Who has
heard him say his little prayers?'

'His Heavenly Father has; of that we may be secure. You will feel it
in the quiet of your own room. Good-night.'

'And I shall know you are praying, better than I can,' murmured Nuttie,
as she returned his good-night, and crept up to her chamber.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

FETTERS RENT.

'The gods are just, and of our pleasant sins
Make whips to scourge us.'--King Lear.

There was no real sleep for Ursula that short summer night. She saw
the early dawn, listened to the distant roll of market-carts, and
wondered when it would be reasonable to be afoot, and ready to hear, if
aught there was to hear. At any hour after seven, surely the finders
would have mercy and bring the welcome news. And just before seven she
fell asleep, deeply, soundly, and never woke till past eight, but that
was just enough to revive the power of hope, and give the sense of a
new day. But there was nothing to hear--no news. She found Mr. Dutton
in the dining-room. He had had to administer another draught to her
father, and had left him in a sleep which would probably last for some
time. If she would go and sit in the outer room, after her breakfast,
he would go out to obtain intelligence.

'You must have some breakfast,' she said, ringing the bell, and
wistfully looking over the blinds; then exclaiming: 'Oh, there's Mark!
Has he heard anything?' and out she darted, opening the door before he
rang. 'Mark! have you found him?'

'Yes,' he said gravely, looking utter