Oh, where were they going, and what was to become of her? Was it a
frightful reality, or only a dream? Was she really the same girl who
this night was to have been the bride of a baronet? Was this the
nineteenth century and New York City, or a chapter out of some old
Venetian romance?

The carriage stopped at last; she heard the door open, she felt herself
lifted out; there was a rush of cold air for an instant, then they
entered a house; a door closed behind them, and she was being borne
upstairs and into a room.

"Now that we have arrived, Miss Mollie," said that strange voice, "we
will unbind you, and you really must overlook the hard necessity which
compelled so strong a course toward a lady. I give you fair warning that
it will be of no use straining your lungs screaming; for if you shrieked
for a month, no one would hear you through these padded walls. Now,
then!"

He took the gag from her mouth, and Mollie caught her breath with a
gasp. He untied the bandage round her eyes, and for a second or two she
was dazzled by the sudden blaze of light. The instant she could see, she
turned full upon her abductor.

Alas and alas! he wore a black mask, a flowing wig, a beard, and a long
cloak reaching to the floor.

He was a tall man--that was the only thing Mollie could make out of the
disguise.

"Miss Dane does not spare me; but it is all in vain. She may gaze until