interfering with them, can't they?"

"Yes, ma'am, but she was a-hollerin' at us."

"No, John, was she though? Maybe this is a private road and we have no
right to be on it."

"She gave a holler as if some one was a-hurtin' of her," said John with
decision.

"Then we'll go back," said the lady, and turned the pony round.

Hence it came about that just as Kate was descending with a sad heart
from her post of observation, she was electrified to see the brown pony
reappear and come trotting round the curve of the lane, with a rapidity
which was altogether foreign to that quadruped's usual habits.
Indeed, the girl turned so very white at the sight, and her face assumed
such an expression of relief and delight, that the lady who was
approaching saw at once that it was no common matter which had caused
her to summon them.

"What is it, my dear?" she cried, pulling up when she came abreast of
the place. Her good, kind heart was touched already by the pleading
expression upon the girl's sweet face.

"Oh, madam, whoever you may be," said Kate, in a low, rapid voice,
"I believe God has sent you here this day. I am shut up in these
grounds, and shall be murdered unless help comes."

"Be murdered!" cried the lady in the pony-carriage, dropping back in her
seat and raising her hands in astonishment.

"It is only too true," Kate said, trying to speak concisely and clearly
so as to enforce conviction, but feeling a choking sensation about her
throat, as though an hysterical attack were impending. "My guardian has
shut me up here for some weeks, and I firmly believe that he will never
let me out alive. Oh, don't, pray don't think me mad! I am as sane as
you are, though, God knows, what I have gone through has been enough to
shake my reason."

This last appeal of Kate's was in answer to an expression of incredulity
and doubt which had passed over the face of the lady below. It was
successful in its object, for the ring of truth with which she spoke and
the look of anxiety and terror upon her face were too genuine to be
mistaken. The lady drew her rein so as to bring the carriage as near
the wall as was possible without losing sight of Kate's face.

"My dear," she said, "you may safely tell me everything. Whatever I can
do to help you shall be done, and where I am powerless there are others
who are my friends and may be of assistance. Scully is my name--
Mrs. Lavinia Scully, of London. Don't cry, my poor girl, but