at each other and hesitated, they did not speak for a few moments; the
same idea possessed the mind of each. They thought that good people
would not live in such a place, amid such wild surroundings, but neither
one of them would unnerve the other by saying so, for they knew in their
present situation they required all the courage that they could command,
in order that they might be ready to meet their uncertain fate.

While they continued looking almost spellbound the child awoke, and
observing their earnest gaze, added her own scrutiny to theirs. She bent
her little golden head forward and saw some of the windows upon which
the reflection of light glinted.

"Home," she exclaimed, smiling with childish glee, "doe home," taking
hold of her mother's dress to draw her in the direction of the building,
which was about half-way up the hill, and only a few hundred yards from
where they now stood.

CHAPTER VII.

The battled towers the donjon keep,
The loop-hole grates where captives weep,
The flanking walls that round it sweep,
In yellow luster shone.

* * * * *

Act,--act in the living present!
Heart within and God o'erhead!

* * * * *

Let us then be up and doing
With a heart for any fate
Still achieving, still pursuing
Learn to labor and to wait.

The ladies held a consultation, should they attempt to go to the castle
and ask for shelter. How could the child, which like themselves had
hitherto lived in luxury, pass a night on the beach. Beside the forest
looked as if it was the resort of wolves and bears. It would be unsafe.
They could not after dark remain where they were, there was no
alternative, so they decided to go at once to the building. There was no
path, but they held the branches aside for each other. Taking the child
with them, they stumbled over the loose stones and among the briers as
well as their want of strength would permit, for they were much
exhausted. Mrs. Carleton was so weak that she fell several times and was
severely hurt, but no murmur escaped her and she rose and struggled on
again as if nothing had happened, turning, from time to time, with some
word of kindness or cheer to Miss Vyvyan, who was helping the little one
along.

Emerging from the woods, they found themselves in a long, open space of
grass, which was surrounded on all sides by the forest. The great
building