are, with Dobson behind her. I should not like that at all. It
would make me feel as if the constable had me in custody. But
Grandmamma insists on it; and Hatty does not seem to feel safe without
somebody.

In Mr Raymond's parlour, I found Annas and Flora, alone. I do not know
what to say they looked like. Both are white and worn, as if a great
strain had been on their hearts: but Flora is much the more broken-down
of the two. Annas is more queenly than ever, with a strange, far-away
look in the dear grey eyes, that I can hardly bear to see. I ran up to
her first thing.

"O Annas, tell me!" I cried, amidst my kisses, "tell me, did I do right
or wrong?"

I felt sure she would need no explanation.

"You did right, Cary,"--and the dark grey eyes looked full into mine.
"Who are we, to refuse our best to the Master when He calls? But it is
hard, hard to bear it!"

"Is there _any_ hope of escape?" I asked.

"There is always hope where God is," said Annas. "But it is not always
hope for earth."

Flora kissed me, and whispered, "Thank you for Angus!" but then she
broke down, and cried like a child.

"Have you heard anything of Angus?" I asked.

"Yes," said Annas, who shed no tears. "He is safe in France, with
friends of the Cause."

"In France!" cried I.

"Yes. Did you think he could stay in England? Impossible, except now
and then in disguise, for a stolen visit, perhaps, when some years are
gone."

"Then if Colonel Keith could escape--"

"That would be his lot. Of course, unless the Prince were entirely
successful."

I felt quite dismayed. I had never thought of this.

"And how long do you stay here?" said I.

"Only till I can obtain a hearing of the Princess Caroline. That is
arranged by Mr Raymond, through some friends of his. He and Mr
Hebblethwaite have been very, very good to us."

"I do not know what we should have done without them," said Flora,
wiping her eyes.

"And is the day fixed for you to see the Princess?"

"Not quite, but I expect it will be Thursday next. Pray for us, Cary,
for that seems the last hope."

"And you have heard nothing, I suppose, from the Colonel?"

"Yes, I have." Annas put her hand into her bosom, and drew forth a
scrap of paper. "You may read it, Cary. It will very likely be the
last."

My own eyes were dim as I carried the paper to the window. I could have
read it where I was, but I wanted an excuse to turn my back on every
one.

"M