ER XIX.

Joy, nevertheless, does return to Mr. Rugge: and hope now inflicts
herself on Mrs. Crane; a very fine-looking hope too,--six feet one,
--strong as Achilles, and as fleet of foot!

Buy we have left Mr. Rugge at Mrs. Crane's door; admit him. He bursts
into her drawing-room wiping his brows. "Ma'am, they're off to America!"

"So I have heard. You are fairly entitled to the return of your money--"

"Entitled, of course, but--"

"There it is; restore to me the contract for the child's services."

Rugge gazed on a roll of bank-notes, and could scarcely believe his
eyes. He darted forth his hand,--the notes receded like the dagger
in Macbeth. "First the contract," said Mrs. Crane. Rugge drew out his
greasy pocket-book, and extracted the worthless engagement.

"Henceforth, then," said Mrs. Crane, "you have no right to complain; and
whether or not the girl ever again fall in your way, your claim over her
ceases."

"The gods be praised! it does, ma'am, I have had quite enough of her.
But you are every inch a lady, and allow me to add that I put you on my
free list for life."

Rugge gone, Arabella Crane summoned Bridget to her presence.

"Lor', miss," cried Bridget, impulsively, "who'd think you'd been up all
night raking! I have not seen you look so well this many a year."

"Ah," said Arabella Crane, "I will tell you why. I have done what for
many a year I never thought I should do again,--a good action. That
child,--that Sophy,--do you remember how cruelly I used her?"

"Oh, miss, don't go for to blame yourself; you fed her, you clothed
her, when her own father, the villing, sent her away from hisself to
you,--you of all people, you. How could you be caressing and fawning on
his child,--their child?"

Mrs. Crane hung her head gloomily. "What is past is past. I have lived
to save that child, and a curse seems lifted from my soul. Now listen.
I shall leave London--England--probably this evening. You will keep
this house; it will be ready for me any moment I return. The agent who
collects my house-rents will give you money as you want it. Stint not
yourself, Bridget. I have been saving and saving and saving for dreary
years,--nothing else to interest me, and I am richer than I seem."

"But where are you going, miss?" said Bridget, slowly recovering from
the stupefaction occasioned by her mistress's announcement.

"I don't know; I don't care."

"Oh, gracious stars! is it with that dreadful Jasper