t is sheltered from the wind there.
Good-morning!"

And the lady entered the carriage and gave her order.

The carriage road through the valley was necessarily much longer and
more circuitous than the footpath with which we are so familiar. The
footpath, we know, went straight down the steep precipice of Brudenell
hill, across the bottom, and then straight up the equally steep ascent
of Hut hill. Of course this route was impracticable for any wheeled
vehicle. The carriage therefore turned off to the left into a road that
wound gradually down the hillside and as gradually ascended the opposite
heights. The carriage drew up at a short distance from the hut, and the
countess alighted and walked to the door. We have seen what a surprise
her arrival caused, and now we must return to the interview between the
wife of Herman and the sister of Nora.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE COUNTESS AND THE CHILD.

With no misgiving thought or doubt
Her fond arms clasped his child about
In the full mantle of her love;
For who so loves the darling flowers
Must love the bloom of human bowers,
The types of brightest things above.
One day--one sunny winter day--
She pressed it to her tender breast;
The sunshine of its head there lay
As pillowed on its native rest.

--_Thomas Buchanan Reed_.

Lady Hurstmonceux and Hannah Worth sat opposite each other in silence.
The lady with her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the floor--Hannah waiting
for the visitor to disclose the object of her visit.

Reuben Gray had retired to the farthest end of the room, in delicate
respect to the lady; but finding that she continued silent, it at last
dawned upon his mind that his absence was desirable. So he came forward
with awkward courtesy, saying:

"Hannah, I think the lady would like to be alone with you; so I will bid
you good-day, and come again to-morrow."

"Very well, Reuben," was all that the woman could answer in the presence
of a third person.

And after shaking Hannah's hand, and pulling his forelock to the
visitor, the man went away.

As soon as he was clearly gone the countess turned to the weaver and
said:

"Hannah--your name is Hannah, I think?"

"Yes, madam."

"Well, Hannah, I have come to thank you for your tender care of my son,
and to relieve you of him!" said the countess.

"Madam!" exclaimed the amazed woman, staring point-blank at the visitor.

"Why, what is the matter, girl? What have I said that