re had been
uncertainty, and an opinion of her own which proved to be right,
that her sister-in-law would not receive her. Now about this paper
that the policeman had handed to her, and the threatened journey to
Heytesbury, there was no uncertainty,--unless she might possibly
escape the evil by running away. Therefore she ran away.

The straight-going people of the world, in dealing with those who go
crooked, are almost always unreasonable. "Because you have been bad,"
say they who are not bad to those who are bad, "because you have
hitherto indulged yourself with all pleasures within your reach,
because you have never worked steadily or submitted yourself to
restraint, because you have been a drunkard, and a gambler, and have
lived in foul company, therefore now,--now that I have got a hold of
you and can manipulate you in reference to your repentance and future
conduct,--I will require from you a mode of life that, in its general
attractions, shall be about equal to that of a hermit in the desert.
If you flinch you are not only a monster of ingratitude towards me,
who am taking all this trouble to save you, but you are also a poor
wretch for whom no possible hope of grace can remain." When it is
found that a young man is neglecting his duties, doing nothing,
spending his nights in billiard rooms and worse places, and getting
up at two o'clock in the day, the usual prescription of his friends
is that he should lock himself up in his own dingy room, drink tea,
and spend his hours in reading good books. It is hardly recognised
that a sudden change from billiards to good books requires a strength
of character which, if possessed, would probably have kept the young
man altogether from falling into bad habits. If we left the doors of
our prisons open, and then expressed disgust because the prisoners
walked out, we should hardly be less rational. The hours at Mrs.
Stiggs's house had been frightfully heavy to poor Carry Brattle, and
at last she escaped.

It was half-past ten on the Monday morning when she went out. It was
her custom to go out at that hour. Mr. Fenwick had desired her to
attend the morning services at the Cathedral. She had done so for a
day or two, and had then neglected them. But she had still left the
house always at that time; and once, when Mrs. Stiggs had asked some
question on the subject, she had replied almost in anger that she was
not a prisoner. On this occasion she made changes in her dress which