day and night they did not object however to my speaking occasionally to the lady and to the servant maid to the latter i said under my breath i shall escape impossible returned she in the same manner do not attempt it you will only be i laugh at i replied i have worn them so long already i then bade her presently gossip with the guards she complied with and while they were i rushed out never looking behind me i took at once the open country and made for the coast leaping over two or three streams the very first of which probably brought the to a pause then i ran across fields and through woods and after three hours of sharp s pace arrived here expecting to find a vessel we had engaged lying off the coast instead of which a government ship watches the harbour and is evidently on the watch for us nothing remains therefore for me but to double like a hare and take to the hills they are doubtless looking out for you said but sleep � sleep peacefully i will watch beside you as if you were a brother you must be up at three in the morning if you would pursuit but how without a guide i myself will start you off and wake you at the right time and stooping over him he kissed him looked moved and said how shall i ever you t you will wake me on the first alarm v rely on me thank you said and the next minute he was asleep it was still bright when they were up and away and over the hills who knew every path led the way but his companion kept closely up with him and when after an hour s hard walking they reached a solitary tract where they could draw breath conversed with his generous guide as friend with friend and told him his personal history it was a sad tale of wrongs and injustice of false and and burning and unworthy escapes and unexpected one thing was too evident if false had found innocent and truthful they had not left him so his mind was and by the poisonous moral atmosphere he had been compelled to breathe but yet he had not lost all his original nobility his love of his country was touching his sentiments original and often fine he had been high in command had held offices of trust and been the stern opponent of and when dared no longer proceed with him they embraced like brothers and he wistfully watched him out of sight chapter v the old country house his steps the greater part of the way he was so in thoughts on what had recently happened as to be insensible to the of the distance at length he struck into a lane between high banks which presently descended into a fertile valley by a very road which led to an old country mansion at t iq of this mansion stood a dusty travelling carriage surrounded by a small knot of people which instantly filled with surprise and excitement and made him his walk into a run here he comes cried one of the group who hastening towards him exclaimed the has arrived my sister cried how delightful a i surprise and hurrying in doors he sprang up the marble stairs clearing three of the shallow steps at a time and entered the di a large lofty apartment with on the doors and a ceiling where three or four persons were talking all together with the greatest glee ah here is cried the old gentleman of the house on which a young lady in a travelling dress ran to welcome him what what exclamations there was a baby boy also to be introduced and admired i am lost in wonder said who would have thought of seeing you dearest v nobody can be more surprised than myself said it is all owing to s kindness he has lately been � oh i cannot describe to you how good happening to say one day lately what pleasure and delight it would give me to see you all again he said quite quietly and why should you not v i never was more surprised can you really be in earnest � said i certainly said he i always mean what i say so then he told me how it might all be arranged as nicely as possible and said that as doctor and his wife were starting for the he would me to the care of and the rest of the way he will come and fetch me home himself very shortly but where is aunt at her beads i suppose is she as much of a as ever do come with me and see me surprise her away flew the gay with at her heels along a large and lofty at the end of which she tapped at a door come in said a voice within and peeping in with a face saw a withered old lady without a cap her thin hair in a very small knot on the top of her head getting up a few fine things exclaimed she dropping her yellow bits of lace and extending her arms it cannot be v who is it then aunt v said laughing and kissing her wonderful wonderful repeated the bewildered old lady and � is not here but he has sent the baby to represent him the baby ah the precious child where is he let me see him aunt you are just like all the world you forget the mother in the child you will be miserably disappointed in the little gave her a look as if uncertain whether to believe her or not but led the way to the where the grandmother and foster nurse were in close conference over the baby after enjoying her aunt s exclamations of 