The tall girl with the discontented upper lip went to the matron and told
her that she thought the man and the woman in the parlor ought to be made
to go. She believed the man was trying to coax the girl to do something
she didn't want to do. The matron started on a voyage of discovery up the
hall and down again, with penetrating glances into the room, but the two
did not see her.

"Oh, my poor dear little girl!" breathed the man. "And you have passed
through all this awful experience alone! Why did you not tell me about
it? I could have helped you. I am a lawyer."

"I thought you would be on your guard at once and watch for evidences of
my insanity. I thought perhaps you would believe it true, and would feel
it necessary to return me to my friends. I think I should have been
tempted to do that, perhaps, if any one had come to me with such a story."

"One could not do that after seeing and talking with you. I never could
have believed it. Surely no reputable physician would lend his influence
to put you in an asylum, yet I know such things have been done. Your
cousin must be a desperate character. I shall not feel safe until you
belong to me. I saw two men hanging about Mr. Phillips's house last
evening as I went in. They were looking up at the windows and talking
about keeping a close watch on some one named Mary. One of the men was
tall and slight and handsome, with dark hair and eyes; the other was
Irish, and wore a coat too large for him, and rubbers. I went back later
in the evening, and the Irishman was hovering about the house."

The girl looked up with frightened eyes and grasped the arms of her chair
excitedly.