in peace until I send for you," said the judge kindly, pressing the
hand of Sybil as he withdrew.

As soon as Judge Ruthven had left the room, Sybil turned triumphantly
towards her young escort, who, since his entrance, had remained modestly
standing near the door, and she said:

"Dear Raphael! did you hear that? I am to go home and rest in peace
until my trial comes on! Oh, Raphael, what joy! And, dear boy, take
notice! I did well to come here and give myself up! and this blessed
prospect of going home is the fruits of that well-doing! Mind, Raphael,
always be sure to _do_ well, and you will also be sure to _fare_ well!"
she concluded, mindful to give her young companion a lesson in morality.

"Oh, madam! I am so glad of this, for your sake!" said the boy,
earnestly.

"Thank you, Raphael! And I do not forget that I owe very much of this
satisfaction to you. But for your help, I could not have escaped from
the band, or found my way through the mountain passes to this place. But
now, my boy, you have been long away from your companions. Your absence
may be noticed, and may bring you into trouble. So with my best thanks,
dear boy, I will bid you good-bye, and send you home," said Sybil,
holding out her hand.

But the lad did not take it.

"'Home?'" he echoed sadly, "'home?' Ah, lady, what is my home? A
robber's den! No, madam, I will never go back to the band! Here in the
village I may get work as an errand boy, or on some farmer's field as a
laborer; but even if I do not, though I should perish, I will never go
back to the band!"

"Say you so, my boy? Then you shall even go home with me, and be my
little brother; and my husband--Ah! my dear Lyon, how do you fare
now?--my husband shall be your guardian, and send you to some good
school of art where your fine talent may be cultivated," said Sybil,
earnestly, again offering her hand.

He took it and raised it to his brow, and said:

"You should be a queen, lady!--a queen, to do your royal will towards
all whom you wish to elevate. How can I thank you?"

"By accepting, in simplicity of heart, all that I and all that my noble
husband will do for you. For Mr. Berners will also be very quick to
recognize and prompt to reward your services to me."

Poor Sybil! in the generous exultation of her soul, she almost lost
sight of the sorrows and dangers that still encompassed and threatened
her.

She, in her young matronly pride and dignity, feeling ever so much older