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It was ten of the clock upon this sa in the dark beside her , heard hiht, and watched hio unsteadily

down the path that led to the road Once he paused, and made as if to

return; then went on to his lair at the crossroads ordinary Again Audrey

waited,--this time by the door Darden stumbled upstairs to bed Mistress

Deborah's voice was raised in shrill reproach, and the drunkenwith their quarrel, but

Audrey listened with indifference; not tre her ears, as

once she would have done It was over at last, and the place sunk in

silence; but still the girl waited and listened, standing close to the

door At last, as it was drawing towardit very softly, slipped outside Heavy breathing

cauardians; it went evenly on while she

crept downstairs and unbarred the outer door Sure and silent and light of

touch, she passed like a spirit froiven her shelter,

nor once looked back upon it

The boat, hidden in the reeds, was her destination; she loosed it, and