e home from which he had driven her. That cry of agony coming
from her lips frightened back her pride.

She darted away across the flower-beds, through thickets and over the
lawn, which lay moist and heavy under the fog. Her wet feet got
entangled among clusters of dead heliotrope and crysanthemums, still
blooming in defiance of storm and frost. The shawl blew loose from her
hands, which unconsciously huddled it close to her bosom, and was torn
by the thorny rosebushes. Fragments of her dress were left behind. She
plunged into a swampy hollow where clusters of tall catstail, sweet flag
and sedgy rushes grew around a little pond, swarming with trout and gold
fish. Her feet sank into the marsh till the water gurgled over her
gaiters. She stood a moment, looking out upon the black pool, tempted to
throw herself in; but some water-rat or frog, frightened by her
approach, made a great leap, and plunged into the black depths, giving
out a horrible idea of reptile life.

Not there, not there; no one should find her after she was dead. The
ocean, the great heaving ocean had called her; why was she lingering by
that miserable pool of black water, full of living things? Again she
plunged forward, broke through the tangled sedges, and trampled down the
spicy peppermint, till she reached firm land again. Then on--on--on till
she stood under the beetling cliff which frowned over the shore tavern.

It was the dark hour now which comes just before daylight. The gleam of
a candle shone through one of the tavern windows, and this faint idea of
warmth drew her that way. She crept up close to the building, and
through the little panes of glass saw Benson with his daughter and her
children at breakfast together.

When the days grew short it had always been the old man's habit to eat
his breakfast by candlelight. It was a pleasant, homely picture that the
wretched woman looked upon. Her haggard eyes grew wild at the sight of
so much warmth, while her teeth chattered with cold, and terrible chills
shook her from head to foot. A noble wood fire blazed on the hearth,
filling the small white-washed room with its golden glow. The soft steam
from the tea-kettle curled up the chimney, broiled fish and hot Indian
cakes sent a savory odor through the ill-fitted sash.

Elizabeth had eaten nothing for the past two days, and with the sight of
this comfortable breakfast, an aching desire for food seized on her.
Food and warmth; let her have them and