an aquiline nose, beautifully-cut mouth, and a
finely-oval face, is revealed by the shadow in which she stands. "How
willingly," she mutters, raising the jewelled fingers of her right hand
to her lips, as her eyes become liquid with emotion, and her every
action betokens one whose very soul is goaded with remorse, "would I
exchange all these worldly pleasures for one single day in peace of
mind." She lays aside her mantle, and keeps her eyes fixed upon the
object before her. A finely-rounded shoulder and exactly-developed bust
is set off with a light satin bodice or corsage, cut low, opening
shawl-fashion at the breast, and relieved with a stomacher of fine
Brussels lace. Down the edges are rows of small, unpolished pearls,
running into points. A skirt of orange-colored brocade, trimmed with
tulle, and surrounded with three flounces, falls, cloud-like, from her
girdle, which is set with cameos and unpolished pearls. With her left
hand she raises slightly her skirts, revealing the embroidered gimps of
a white taffeta underskirt, flashing in the moonlight. Small, unpolished
pearls ornament the bands of her short sleeves; on her fingers are
rings, set with diamonds and costly emeralds; and her wrists are clasped
with bracelets of diamonds, shedding a modest lustre over her
marble-like arms.

"Can this be my child? Has this crime that so like a demon haunts
me--that curses me even in my dreams, driven her, perhaps against her
will, to seek this life of shame?" She takes the sleeper's hand gently
in her own, as the tears gush down her cheeks.

The sleeper startles, half raises herself from her pillow, parts her
black, silky hair, that lays upon her gently-swelling bosom, and throws
it carelessly down her shoulders, wildly setting her great black orbs on
the strange figure before her. "Hush, hush!" says the speaker, "I am a
friend. One who seeks you for a good purpose. Give me your
confidence--do not betray me! I need not tell you by what means I gained
access to you."

A glow of sadness flashes across Anna's countenance. With a look of
suspicion she scans the mysterious figure from head to foot. "It is the
Judge's wife!" she says within herself. "Some one has betrayed me to
her; and, as is too often the case, she seeks revenge of the less guilty
party." But the figure before her is in full dress, and one seeking
revenge would have disguised herself. "Why, and who is it, that seeks me
in this mysterious manner?" whispers