y character. Now, sit down.'

So, with those unpleasant words tingling in my ears, I obeyed.

'_Write_,' said he, when I was duly placed. 'You shall convey the substance
of what I say in your own language. The immiment danger this morning
announced of an execution--rememher the word,' and he spelled it for
me--'being put into this house either this afternoon or to-morrow, compels
me to anticipate my plans, and despatch you for France this day. That you
are starting with an attendant.' Here an uneasy movement from Madame,
whose dignity was perhaps excited. 'An _attendant_,' he repeated, with a
discordant emphasis; 'and you can, if you please--but I don't _solicit_
that justice--say that you have been as kindly treated here as my
unfortunate circumstances would permit. That is all. You have just fifteen
minutes to write. Begin.'

I wrote accordingly. My hysterical state had made me far less combative
than I might have proved some months since, for there was much that was
insulting as well as formidable in his manner. I completed my letter,
however, to his satisfaction in the prescribed time; and he said, as he
laid it and its envelope on the table--

'Please to remember that this lady is not your attendant only, but that she
has authority to direct every detail respecting your journey, and will make
all the necessary payments on the way. You will please, then, implicitly to
comply with her directions. The carriage awaits you at the hall-door.'

Having thus spoken, with another grim bow, and 'I wish you a safe and
pleasant journey,' he receded a step or two, and I, with an undefinable
kind of melancholy, though also with a sense of relief, withdrew.

My letter, I afterwards found, reached Lady Knollys, accompanied by one
from Uncle Silas, who said--'Dear Maud apprises me that she has written
to tell you something of our movements. A sudden crisis in my miserable
affairs compels a break-up as sudden here. Maud joins my daughter at the
Pension, in France. I purposely omit the address, because I mean to
reside in its vicinity until this storm shall have blown over; and as the
consequences of some of my unhappy entanglements might pursue me even
there, I must only for the present spare you the pain and trouble of
keeping a secret. I am sure that for some little time you will excuse
the girl's silence; in the meantime you shall hear of them, and perhaps
circuitously, from me. Our dear Maud started this morning _en route_ fo