e council."

"When at last we separated, the clock was on the stroke of one, and I
went to a clean and quiet chamber above the little study, where a bright
fire was burning, but whence the smell of lavender, which always
accompanies the fresh sheets of Quakerhood, still prevailed with a
summer-like fragrance. The attentive house-maid disrobed me, and bathed
my chilled and frosted feet and swollen hands in water tempered with
alcohol. Then arraying me in a mob-cap and snowy cotton gown, the
property of good Mrs. Jessup, placed me in the soft nest prepared for
sojourners beneath that homely but hospitable roof.

"I hope thee is comfortable, Miriam Monfort," said Mrs. Jessup, after I
was ensconced in bed. "Why, thy face is the same, after all, that I
remember when thou wert a very little girl, and used to walk out with
Mrs. Austin. She is well, I hope?" settling the bed-cover.

"I cannot tell you, Mrs. Jessup. I must rather ask such questions of
you. When did you see her last? and Mabel--do you know my little
sister?"

"Oh, yes, I know her perfectly well by sight. Let me see, it was Sabbath
before last that, just as I was coming out of Friends' meeting-house, I
saw Mabel Monfort, a pretty maiden, truly, walking with her step-sister,
I think, and a tall and stately gentleman. But Mrs. Austin I have not
seen since last rose-time, and then only in passing. She seemed well,
but wore a troubled face."

"Yes, yes; she was troubled, no doubt, things were so altered; and, if
her heart had not turned to stone, she must have thought of me sometimes
regretfully. But all bids fair now, Mrs. Jessup, both for me and her,
and for Mabel. For the rest, let them go--they are fiends!"

"Thee has a very flushed and hot cheek, Miriam, now that I see thee
closely and touch thy face"--doing so lightly with the back of her hand
as she spoke. "A bowl of sage-tea would, no doubt, be of service to
thee; shall I--"

"Oh, no, Mrs. Jessup; I never could drink that wise stuff in the world.
I have just had a good supper, and am excited, that is all. Jenny will
tell you what she overheard concerning my escape of to-night, and that
will account for all."

"Good-night, then, Miriam; may the Lord have thee in his care this
night"--and she withdrew, followed by Jenny, eager, no doubt, to
commence the recital of my adventure, or to hear what more Captain
Wentworth and Dr. Pemberton had to say on the subject.

It was nearly daylight when they parted,