hear
what was passing in the room. Without showing the least perturbation, or
even appearing to notice the guard, she said in a gay and careless
voice,--"My father and Lieutenant Macdonald,--who is a good
gentleman--think it belongs to Christian people to do all the good we
can for them that providence has put under us; and so, sir, I have been
to gather you some blackberries, which I thought, may be, you would
like, sir."

The sentinel walked away, and Mary smiled as she saw her little
stratagem succeed.

"Bring me some paper," said Butler cautiously. "You are a considerate
girl," he continued, in a louder voice, "and I thank you for this good
will." Then finding that the sentinel did not immediately return, he
whispered--"I wish to write to Robinson--you shall take the letter and
read it to him."

"I will do my best," replied the maiden; and again the sentinel
interrupted the conference.

Mary, having arranged the table, left the room. In a few moments she
returned, bringing with her the family Bible.

"If you would like to read, sir," she said, "here is a book that a body
may look at a long time without getting tired of it. We have only got
this, and the Pilgrim's Progress, and the hymn-book, in the house; but
my father says this is worth all the others that ever were printed, put
together; and especially, sir, when one's in distress, and away from
their friends."

An expression of pleasure played across Butler's features as he took the
heavy volume from the girl.

"A thousand thanks to you, my pretty maiden," he replied. "I doubt not I
shall grow both wiser and better under your tutoring. This kindness
almost reconciles me to my fate."

"John is doing all he can for you, and he is a good helper to Mr.
Robinson," said Mary, in the same cautious whisper that she had first
spoken in, as she retreated from the room. Butler opened the book, and
found a sheet of paper folded away amongst the leaves; then closing it,
he threw it upon his bed.

In due course of time, Mary Musgrove returned with a few dishes of food
which she set out upon the table, and, in one of the successive visits
which were employed in furnishing the repast, she took from beneath her
apron a small ink-horn and pen, which she placed, unobserved by the
sentinel, in Butler's hand. Having done this, she retired, leaving the
prisoner to despatch his meal alone.

After dinner, Butler threw himself upon his bed, where he lay with the
Bible ope