against the horizon, now streaked with pale crimson rays of dawn, rising
in bold relief I beheld the receding figure of Richard Bristed.

He was leaving me without word or sign. My head reeled; I grasped the
window casement to steady myself, and sank insensible upon the floor.




CHAPTER VI.


I must have remained in this condition some hours, for the sun was high
in the heavens when I opened my eyes and became conscious. Where was I?
Not in my own room, surely; the fragrance of exotics did not penetrate my
lattice; the simple honeysuckle that twined around my window breathed
forth a different perfume from this. My heart gave one glad leap. Oh, it
is all a dream! I thought; Richard's galloping down the road, and all the
past night's misery is a dream! With this reflection a happy tranquillity
was stealing over me, when I heard a well-known voice exclaim:

"Look, Mary, attend her; she has opened her eyes, thank God."

It was Mr. Bristed's voice, and as he spoke Mary approached me, and
bending over, bathed my head with scented water. "Hope you feel better,
Miss," said she.

"Have I been ill, Mary? Where am I?"

"In master's library."