nd that her ignorance could have been only an excuse.

At last it was finished, and she rose, saying it was time to return to
the boat.

"Nay, madam, that cannot be yet," said Loveday; "the watermen are gone
to rest and dine, and we must wait for the tide to shoot the bridge."

"Then pray let us go out and walk in Greenwich Park," exclaimed Aurelia,
longing to escape from this den.

"The sweet young lady will take something in the meantime?" said Mrs.
Darke.

"I thank you, I have breakfasted," said Aurelia.

"My Lady intended us to eat here," said Loveday in an undertone to her
young lady, as their hostess bustled out. "She will make it good to Mrs.
Darke."

"I had rather go to the inn--I have money--or sit in the park,"
she added as Loveday looked as if going to the inn were an improper
proposal. "Could we not buy a loaf and eat in the park? I should like it
so much better."

"One cup of coffee," said Mrs. Darke, entering; "the excellent Mocha
that I get from the Turkey captains."

She set down on a small table a wonderful cup of Eastern porcelain, and
some little sugared cakes, and Aurelia, not to be utterly ungracious,
tasted one, and began on the coffee, which was so hot that it had to be
taken slowly. As she sipped a soothing drowsiness came over her, which
at first was accounted for by the warm room after her row on the river;
but it gained upon her, and instead of setting out for her walk she fell
sound asleep in the corner of the couch.

"It has worked. It is well," said Mrs. Darke, lifting the girl's feet on
the couch, and producing a large pair of scissors.

Loveday could not repress a little shriek.

"Hush!" as the woman untied the black silk hood, drew it gently off, and
then undid the ribbon that confined the victim's abundant tresses. "Bah!
it will be grown by the time she arrives, and if not so long as present,
what will they know of it? It will be the more agreeable surprise! Here,
put yonder cloth under her head while I hold it up."

"I cannot," sobbed Loveday. "This is too much. I never would have
entered my Lady's service if I had known I was to be set to such as
this."

"Come, come, Grace Loveday, I know too much of you for you to come the
Presician over me."

"Such a sweet innocent! So tender-hearted and civil too."

"Bless you, woman, you don't know what's good for her! She will be a
very queen over the black slaves on the Indies. Captain Karen will tell
you how the wenches tha