arms, shouting, "my own, own little gal!"

There was a struggle in the sleigh, and with low murmurs of delight,
Lina held forth her hand.

"Remember and keep cool," said Ralph; then turning towards James, he
said, "drive to the door, I will soon rouse the household."

With these words he strode towards the house, eager to carry glad
tidings to his mother.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

THE MANIAC.

All night long the slave woman crouched down in the middle of her bed,
with the blankets drawn over her like a tent, and her eyes looking out
into the darkness, waiting for the morning, and yet shrinking with
terror whenever a gleam of light appeared. At last, when the morning
broke, grey and cold, she crept forth in her clothes--as she had been
all night--and stood for a time listening as if she expected some
unusual sound. But all was still, no servant was yet abroad, and she sat
down upon the bed, waiting with a dull heavy gleam of the eye that had
something awful in it. At last she was aroused by a loud ring at the
hall door, which brought a smothered scream to her lips; but she arose
and went down stairs, opening the door with a sort of mechanical
composure. Ralph Harrington stood upon the threshold, and a little way
off winding up the circular carriage sweep was a sleigh, in which she
discovered James Harrington and the pale face of Lina. The sight made
her tremble in every limb, and her eyes were terrible to look upon.

"Is my mother up yet?" said Ralph, without regarding the woman, who did
not answer, for her teeth chattered when she made the attempt.

"Well, then we must arouse her; of course the fires are kept up such
nights as this; take Miss French to the breakfast-room while I inquire
for Mrs. Harrington."

But Lina would not be restrained: joy at the sight of that dear old home
gave her temporary strength; she ran up the steps, passing James and
Ralph, in the speed of her love.

"No, no, I _cannot_ wait. Let me go to her room. I will awake her as of
old with my kisses--they will not frighten her."

Before the sentence was finished, Lina had reached the door of Mabel's
boudoir, and throwing it open, flew into the bed-room. A close stifling
vapor enclouded her as she entered, but in the ardor of her love she
rushed through it, flung back the bed-curtains, and throwing her arms
over the sleeper there cried out----

"Mamma, awake! it is Lina--your own Lina come back to live at home,
mamma--mamma"--

The l