this suit of clothes. If I fled undisguised, I knew I would
certainly be pursued, overtaken, and brought back. In the dead of
night I opened my chamber window and made my escape. I took a loaded
pistol of my uncle's with me; I knew how to use it, and I felt safe
with such a protector. My old nurse lived in Plymouth with her
daughter, and to her I meant to go. I had a little money with me, and
made good my escape. My disguise saved me from suspicion and insult.
Last night, on my way to Worrel, I heard your cry for help, and my
pistol stood me in good stead, for the first time. There, Sir Everard,
you know all. I hate and despise myself for the dress I wear, but
surely there is some excuse to be made for me."

The Spanish eyes, swimming in tears, were raised imploringly to his,
and Sir Everard was two-and-twenty, and very susceptible to a beautiful
woman's tears.

"Very much excuse, my poor girl," he said, warmly. "I am the last on
earth to blame you for flying from a detested marriage. But there is
no need to wear this disguise longer, surely?"

"No; no need. But I have had no opportunity of changing it; and if I
do not succeed in finding my nurse at Plymouth, I don't know what will
become of me."

"Have you not her address?"

"No; neither have I heard from her in a long, long time. She lived in
Plymouth years ago with her married daughter, but we never
corresponded; and whether she is there now, or whether indeed she is
living at all, I do not know. I caught at the hope as the drowning
catch at straws."

Sir Everard looked at her in that thoughtful pause. How beautiful she
was in her dark, glowing girlhood--how friendless, how desolate in the
world.

"It would be the wildest of wild-goose chases, then," he said, "knowing
as little of your nurse's whereabouts as you do, to seek her in
Plymouth now. Write first, or advertise in the local journals. If she
is still resident there, that will fetch her."

"Write! advertise!" Sybilla Silver repeated, with unspeakable
mournfulness; "from whence, Sir Everard?"

"From here," answered the baronet, decidedly. "You shall not leave
here until you find your friends. And you shall not wear this odious
disguise an hour longer. Go back to your chamber and wait."

"What an egregious muff he is!" she said to herself, contemptuously.
"There is no cleverness in fooling such an imbecile as that. I am
going on velvet so far; I only hope my lady may be as easily