th. "Why, that
shaggy-looking old sailor, and the girl, and the old negro woman and
child, went on shore at daylight this morning. He hailed a Jersey craft,
and they all left together. It is perfectly understood, though, that the
child is to be returned to you if you desire its company, but, if I were
situated as you are, and sure of its safety, I would never want to see
it again. It would be better off dead than living anyhow, under the
circumstances, poor, deformed creature--better for both of you."

The words came to me distinctly, yet as if from an immense distance, and
I seemed to see the small chamber lengthening as if it had been a
telescope unfolding, and the sallow woman with her hateful smile and
tightly-knotted, brindled hair seated in diminished size and
distinctness at its farthest extremity.

So had I felt on that fearful night when Evelyn had made her revelation
and received mine, and I did not doubt, even in my sinking state, that I
was under the influence of a powerful anodyne.

"Call the ship's doctor--I am dying!" were the last words I remember to
have articulated; then all was dark, and hours went by, of deep,
unconscious sleep.

It was night when I felt myself drawn to my feet, and roused to life by
the repeated applications of cold water to my face. "The anodyne was
over-powerful," I heard Mrs. Raymond say. "It is a shame to tamper with
such strong medicines."

"Oh, she has strength for any thing!" was Clayton's rejoinder. "I never
saw such a constitution--and he knew what he was doing."

"No doubt of that.--But, dear Miss Miriam, do speak to me. I am so
frightened at your lethargic condition.--I declare I am sorry I ever
consented to have any thing to do with this matter! See how she stands.
I cannot think it was right, Clayton, I cannot, indeed; I dislike the
whole drama."

"Do be quiet! She is coming to herself fast, and what will she think of
such expressions? You never had any self-control in your life, and you
are playing for great stakes now." These last words in a hoarse whisper.

"Nonsense! mother."

"Again! How often must I warn you?"

"Well, Clayton, then, now and forever."

"Here! rouse up, little one! We are fast anchored in port, and the
captain is waiting for us, for we go part of the way together, and our
escorts have all failed us--yours and mine. Nice fellows, are they not?"

I sat up and looked about me bewildered; yet I had heard distinctly
every word spoken in th