came directly in my way to hear? The fact that I was in a measure
prisoned there, there being no other outlet to the room than the one
by which I had entered, determined me to ignore for once the natural
instincts of my ladyhood; and pale and trembling to a degree I would
not have wished seen by either of these two mysterious men, I sat in
a dream of suspense, hearing and not hearing the low hum of their
voices as they reasoned with or consoled the mother, now fast
drifting away into an endless night.

Suddenly--shall I ever forget the thrill it gave me?--her voice rose
again in those tones whose force and commanding power I have found
it impossible to describe.

"The oath! the oath! Dwight, Guy, by my dying head----"

"Yes, mother," I heard one voice interpose; and by the solemn murmur
that followed, I gathered that Guy had thought it best to humor her
wishes.

The long-drawn sigh which issued from her lips testified to the
relief he had given her, and the "Now Dwight!" which followed was
uttered in tones more gentle and assured.

But to this appeal no solemn murmur ensued, for at that instant a
scream arose from the bed, and to the sound of an opening door rang
out the words: "Keep her away! What do you let her come in here
for, to confound me and make me curse the day she was born! Away! I
say, away!"

Horrified, and unable to restrain the impulse that moved me, I