"Only this," with blazing eyes, "that whoever you are, you are the
vilest, basest, most cowardly wretch on the wide earth! Go! I would
murder you if I was able!"

"Not a doubt of it, my angel! Once more, good-night!"

He bowed low, passed out, and locked the door. Mollie was alone in her
prison.

Now, little Cricket, fairy that she was, was yet brave as any giantess.
Not a drop of craven blood flowed in her spirited veins. Therefore, left
alone, she neither wept, nor raved, nor tore her hair; but took a
prolonged survey of her surroundings.

It was a large, lofty room, lighted by a single gas-jet, dependent from
the ceiling. The four walls were thickly wadded, and there were no
windows, only one door, no pictures, no mirror--nothing but a few
stuffed chairs, a table, a lavatory, a bed. Day-time and night-time
would be the same here.

"Well," said Mollie to herself, drawing a long breath, "if this does not
cap the globe! Am I really Mollie Dane, and is this New York City, or am
I playing private theatricals, and gone back to the Dark Ages? Who, in
the wide world, is that mysterious man? And, oh! what will they say at
home this dreadful night?"

She removed her cumbersome mantle and threw it upon the bed, looking
ruefully about her.

"I wonder how long I am to be kept here? Of course, I'll never yield;