dence against him. Indeed, I never thought he would have pleaded
'Not Guilty.' I think it was only with a desire to justify himself in
the eyes of some old Hamley acquaintances. Good God, Miss Wilkins!
What's the matter? You're not fainting!" He rang the bell till the rope
remained in his hands. "Here, Esther! Jerry! Whoever you are, come
quick! Miss Wilkins has fainted! Water! Wine! Tell Mrs. Johnson to
come here directly!"

Mrs. Johnson, a kind, motherly woman, who had been excluded from the
"gentleman's dinner party," and had devoted her time to superintending
the dinner her husband had ordered, came in answer to his call for
assistance, and found Ellinor lying back in her chair white and
senseless.

"Bessy, Miss Wilkins has fainted; she has had a long journey, and is in a
fidget about Dixon, the old fellow who was sentenced to be hung for that
murder, you know. I can't stop here, I must go back to those men. You
bring her round, and see her to bed. The blue room is empty since Horner
left. She must stop here, and I'll see her in the morning. Take care of
her, and keep her mind as easy as you can, will you, for she can do no
good by fidgeting."

And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long.

"It was very foolish of me, but I could not help it," said she,
apologetically.

"No; to be sure not, dear. Here, drink this; it is some of Mr. Johnson's
best port wine that he has sent out on purpose for you. Or would you
rather have some white soup--or what? We've had everything you could
think of for dinner, and you've only to ask and have. And then you must
go to bed, my dear--Mr. Johnson says you must; and there's a well-aired
room, for Mr. Horner only left us this morning."

"I must see Mr. Johnson again, please."

"But indeed you must not. You must not worry your poor head with
business now; and Johnson would only talk to you on business. No; go to
bed, and sleep soundly, and then you'll get up quite bright and strong,
and fit to talk about business."

"I cannot sleep--I cannot rest till I have asked Mr. Johnson one or two
more questions; indeed I cannot," pleaded Ellinor.

Mrs. Johnson knew that her husband's orders on such occasions were
peremptory, and that she should come in for a good conjugal scolding if,
after what he had said, she ventured to send for him again. Yet Ellin