fore Johann had got her into his
power. Mingled with these thoughts came those of the man who had
befriended her and even sought her out this day. When she remembered how
he had rescued her from cold, hunger, and the dangers of the streets her
eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Yet, though knowing how quickly he
would aid her were she but to return to the beautiful room from which
she had fled that very morning, she could not bring herself to seek his
charity or ask his pity. She realised well enough that one such as she
could never hope to win a look of love from him; but like the moth that
hovers round the flame which brings it danger she nevertheless
determined to see him again.

With this object in view she slowly wended her way to Jermyn Court,
wherein was the room in which she had supped and slept so delightfully.
Afterwards she thought she would try to gain some work that would at
least secure food and lodging, however poor, where she could be safe
from the cruelty of Wilfer; surely in all London there was something she
could do.

When darkness came, worn out by watching and waiting in vain for Adrien,
she again found herself without a home and without shelter; so,
crouching on a doorstep, as she had done the previous evening, overcome
with fatigue, she fell asleep.

In the course of the night a dark-robed woman, passing on the usual
round of duty assigned to her, stopped and looked at her. She was one of
the band of Good Samaritan Sisters of Mercy established in some of our
London suburbs, who seek out the helpless and downtrodden in the race of
life--with healing in their hands and pity in their hearts--striving to
raise them up from their hopeless position to something better. She
stopped, bent down, and, drawing her veil aside, looked closely at the
motionless face. Then she sighed and turned her head away.

"So beautiful! So young! Can it be possible? Sister, sister!"

Jessica awoke at the gentle touch, and sprang to her feet.

"Johann! Don't strike me," she exclaimed, with her eyes half closed.
"I----"

"My poor girl, no one shall beat you. Will you come with me?"

"With you?" repeated Jessica, now fully awake, but still eyeing the
Sister with some suspicion. "Where? Not far?"

"No, not far. But why do you say that? Is there any one you particularly
wish to be near?"

"No," replied Jessica, adding to herself, as the sister of Mercy took
her hand, "but she shall not take me far away from him."