h ceremony demanded the
keys, insinuating that I had obtained them from John by imposition, and
for the basest purposes. This aroused me to indignation, and I answered
by informing her that whatever purposes the persecution and cruelty of
my family had compelled me to adopt, my conscience, under present
circumstances approved them, and I refused to give her the keys. She
then ordered me to prepare to leave the mansion, and accompany her to
her residence at the house of John. I told her that I had been placed
there by my father, and should not consent to a removal unless by his
express orders. She then left me, intimating that she would soon let me
know that her authority was not to be thus trampled upon with impunity.

"I immediately raised the bridge, and made fast the gate, determining,
on no considerations, to suffer it to be opened until evening. The day
passed away without any occurrence worthy of note, and as soon as it was
dark, I went, opened the gate, and cautiously let down the bridge.
I then returned to the mansion, and placed the candle, as we had
concerted, at the window. Shortly after I heard a carriage roll over the
bridge and proceed up the avenue.--My heart fluttered; I wished--I
hardly knew what I did wish; but I feared I was about to act improperly,
as I had no other idea but that it was you, Alonzo, who was approaching.
The carriage stopped near the door of the mansion; a footstep ascended
the stairs. Judge of my surprise and agitation, when my father entered
the chamber! A maid and two men servants followed him. He directed me to
make immediate preparations for leaving the mansion--which command, with
the assistance of the servants, I obeyed with a heart too full for
utterance.

"As soon as I was ready, we entered the carriage, which drove rapidly
away. As we passed out of the gate, I looked back at the mansion, and
saw the light of the candle, which I had forgotten to remove, streaming
from the window, and it was by an extraordinary effort that I prevented
myself from fainting.

"The carriage drove, as near as I could judge, about ten miles, when we
stopped at an inn for the night, except my father, who returned home on
horseback, leaving me at the inn in company with the servants, where the
carriage also remained. The maid was a person who had been attached to
me from my infancy. I asked her whether she could explain these
mysterious proceedings.

"All I know, Miss, I will tell you, said she.