beneath the cover of the bushes, lurking in every ditch, and peeping
from the boughs of every rustling tree. He was haunted by
apprehensions of being led captive to some gloomy place where he would
be chained and scourged, and worse than all, where Nell could never
come to see him, save through iron bars and gratings in the wall. His
terrors affected the child. Separation from her grandfather was the
greatest evil she could dread; and feeling for the time as though, go
where they would, they were to be hunted down, and could never be safe
but in hiding, her heart failed her, and her courage drooped.

In one so young, and so unused to the scenes in which she had lately
moved, this sinking of the spirit was not surprising. But, Nature
often enshrines gallant and noble hearts in weak bosoms--oftenest, God
bless her, in female breasts--and when the child, casting her tearful
eyes upon the old man, remembered how weak he was, and how destitute
and helpless he would be if she failed him, her heart swelled within
her, and animated her with new strength and fortitude.

'We are quite safe now, and have nothing to fear indeed, dear
grandfather,' she said.

'Nothing to fear!' returned the old man. 'Nothing to fear if they took
me from thee! Nothing to fear if they parted us! Nobody is true to
me. No, not one. Not even Nell!'

'Oh! do not say that,' replied the child, 'for if ever anybody was true
at heart, and earnest, I am. I am sure you know I am.'

'Then how,' said the old man, looking fearfully round, 'how can you
bear to think that we are safe, when they are searching for me
everywhere, and may come here, and steal upon us, even while we're
talking?'

'Because I'm sure we have not been followed,' said the child. 'Judge
for yourself, dear grandfather: look round, and see how quiet and still
it is. We are alone together, and may ramble where we like. Not safe!
Could I feel easy--did I feel at ease--when any danger threatened you?'

'True, too,' he answered, pressing her hand, but still looking
anxiously about. 'What noise was that?'

'A bird,' said the child, 'flying into the wood, and leading the way
for us to follow.' You remember that we said we would walk in woods
and fields, and by the side of rivers, and how happy we would be--you
remember that? But here, while the sun shines above our heads, and
everything is bright and happy, we are sitting sadly down, and losing
time. See what a pleasant path;