time to the passing carriages, and she trembled at the lightest knock.

That night, in a wild, nervous letter to Everina, she wrote:--

I hope B. will not discover us, for I would sooner face a lion; yet
the door never opens but I expect to see him, panting for breath.
Ask Ned how we are to behave if he should find us out, for Bess is
determined not to return. Can he force her? but I'll not suppose
it, yet I can think of nothing else. She is sleepy, and going to
bed; my agitated mind will not permit me. Don't tell Charles or any
creature! Oh! let me entreat you to be careful, for Bess does not
dread him now as much as I do. Again, let me request you to write,
as B.'s behavior may silence my fears. You will soon hear from me
again. Fanny carried many things to Lear's, brush-maker in the
Strand, next door to the White Hart.

Yours,
MARY.

Miss Johnston--Mrs. Dodds, opposite the Mermaid, Church Street,
Hackney.

She looks now very wild. Heaven protect us!

I almost wish for an husband, for I want somebody to support me.

The Rubicon was crossed. But the hardships thereby incurred were but just
beginning. The two sisters were obliged to keep in hiding as if they had
been criminals, for they dared not risk a chance meeting with Bishop.
They had barely money enough to pay their immediate expenses, and their
means of making more were limited by the precautions they had to take. It
had only been possible in their flight to carry off a few things, and
they were without sufficient clothing. Then there came from their friends
an outcry against their conduct. The general belief then was, as indeed
it unfortunately continues to be, that women should accept without a
murmur whatever it suits their husbands to give them, whether it be
kindness or blows. Better a thousand times that one human soul should be
stifled and killed than that the Philistines of society should be
scandalized by its struggles for air and life. Eliza's happiness might
have been totally sacrificed had she remained with Bishop; but at least
the feelings of her acquaintances, in whom respectability had destroyed
the more humane qualities, would have been saved. Her scheme, Mary wrote
bitterly to Everina, was contrary to all the rules of conduct that are
published for the benefit of new married ladies. Many felt forced to
forfeit the friendship of these two social rebels,