irls rushed into the room.

"Oh, missie, missie! murder, murder! thieves, thieves!" they cried out.
"Dey be here--dey be everywhere!"

Just then they caught sight of me. Instead of screaming, they stood as
if petrified. At last, pointing at me, they exclaimed, "Oh, missie, who
dat?"

The question was a difficult one to answer, but Madeline showed her
presence of mind by replying calmly--

"A friend who little expected to find me here, but he will take care
that no harm happens to any one in this house. We may be thankful that
he and his followers are here to protect us. Now go and tell the rest
of the people who remain in the house that they must not be alarmed.
Let them assemble in the hall. I will go and speak to them after I have
seen Mrs Elbank and Miss Porter. Go--run! Be good girls, and do as I
tell you."

The quick, firm manner with which she spoke had a wonderful effect on
the negresses, and instinctively off they ran, perfectly satisfied, to
obey her orders. She explained, briefly, that Mrs Elbank was an old
lady, the owner of the house where she and her father were staying.

As soon as the girls had disappeared she took my hand with perfect
frankness and maiden modesty, while she looked up into my face with an
expression which showed me the true feelings of her heart.

"Farewell, farewell!" she exclaimed. "Let me entreat you not to remain
a moment longer. Every instant's delay may produce danger, and, too
probably, bloodshed. Should, by any chance, the militia discover that
you are here, they would come back with an overwhelming force and cut
you off. Go--oh, go!"

As she spoke these words her feelings overcame her and her sobs choked
her utterance. I would have given worlds to have been able to stay and
comfort her. I did all I could. I took her in my arms and imprinted a
kiss on her brow. It might be the last, but I dared not think so. No,
I felt that we should meet again. "I obey you now, dearest," I cried,
in a tone intended to reassure her. "Fear not, I shall escape the
danger you dread, and I will return perhaps before long."

I added some solemn words of comfort, and then I rushed from the room
and hurried into the garden where I had left my men. I found from them
that O'Driscoll had captured an old negro servant, who, hearing the dog
bark, had come out to see what was the matter, and that, conducted by
him, he had entered the house where he now was. This accounted for the