by firmly in her arms, Flower stood and
hesitated. The warm fleecy white shawl sheltered little Pearl from all
cold, and for the present she slept peacefully.

"I must try and find some town," thought Flower. "I must walk to some
town--the nearest, I suppose--with baby. Then I will sell one of my
rings, and try to get a nice woman to give me a lodging. If she is a
motherly person--and I shall certainly look out for some one that
is--I can give her little Pearl when I get tired of her, and she can
take her back to Sleepy Hollow. But I won't give Pearl up for the
present; for, in the first place she amuses me, and in the next I wish
Polly to be well punished. Now I wonder which is the nearest way to the
town? If I were at Ballarat, I should know quickly enough by the
sign-posts placed at intervals all over the country, but they don't seem
to have anything of the sort here in barbarous England. Now, how shall I
get to the nearest town without meeting any one who would be likely to
tell Dr. Maybright?"

Flower had scarcely expressed herself in this fashion before once again
the rough-looking man crossed her path. She greeted him quite joyfully.

"Oh! you're just the person I want," she exclaimed. "I've got my purse
now, and a little money in it. Would you like to earn a shilling?"

"Sure-_ly_," said the man. "But I'd a sight rather 'arn two," he added.

"I'll give you two. I have not got much money, but I'll certainly give
you two shillings if you'll help me now. I have got a little baby
here--a dear little baby, but she's rather heavy. I am running away
with her to revenge myself on somebody. I don't mind telling you that,
for you look like an outlaw yourself, and you'll sympathize with me. I
want you to carry baby for me, and to take us both to the nearest town.
Do you hear? Will you do it?"

"Sure-_ly_," said the man, favoring Flower with a long, peculiar glance.

"Well, here's baby; you must be very careful of her. I'll give you
_three_ shillings after you have taken her and me to the nearest town;
and if you are really kind, and walk quickly, and take us to a nice
restaurant where I can have a good dinner--for I am awfully
hungry--you shall have something to eat yourself as well. Now walk on
in front of me, please, and don't waste any more time, for it would be
dreadful if we were discovered."

The man shambled on at once in front of Flower; his strong arms
supported little Pearl comfortably, and she slumbered