h trembling haste she exposed the inner surface of the paper, and
with a glad heart and filial trust read:

"'Be not afraid; relief is at hand.'

"There was no signature; none was needed.

"In a moment Lal Lu recognized her father's familiar chirography, and as
she reflected upon his well-known sagacity and resourceful boldness, her
hope and courage renewed their belated assurances.

"'Who gave you this?' she asked.

"The waiting-woman, after a brief hesitation, in which inclination and
restraint left their disturbing traces, replied:

"'That I must not reveal.'

"'At least,' insisted Lal Lu, whose quick glance had detected the
irresolution of the instant preceding, 'at least, tell me this: Was it
my father?'

"'No,' replied the other promptly. With a barely perceptible grin of
amusement at this ingenuous betrayal of the author of the few words
which had awakened such animation, she added:

"'One sent by him, it may be.'

"'True,' assented the girl.

"'And now,' exclaimed the woman with a return of her vindictive aspect,
which the harassed beauty, unaware of its inspiration, witnessed with
vague misgiving and a futile attempt to associate herself with its ugly
manifestation; 'and now, I would ask a question of you.'

"'Yes?' responded Lal Lu, perplexed at the baleful emphasis which
preceded this announcement.

"'Well, then,' continued the woman with startling and uncompromising
abruptness, 'am I wrong in thinking that you would defend your honor
with your life?'

"Before the astonished Lal Lu could reply, or encouraged, it may be, by
some subtle confirmation in the look which shot from the distended eyes
of the young girl, the eccentric speaker, again inserting her hands in
the folds of her tunic, withdrew a short, slender poniard, at sight of
which Lal Lu recoiled.

"'Ha, ha!' laughed the withered creature mirthlessly as she gazed with
unsmiling eyes upon the shrinking beauty. 'Be not afraid; this weapon is
intended for you, but not to your hurt.'

"'What, then?' asked Lal Lu breathlessly, unable to adjust the peaceful
assurance of the grim-visaged woman with the menace of the glittering
blade.

"'Listen!' exclaimed the woman impressively: 'I know Prince Otondo of
old; he meditates no good for you. Were I in your place, I would receive
his detested advances upon the point of this blade. Your protestations
he will not heed, but this'--and the speaker advanced the dagger with a
savage gesture which