."

"Yes; I see it all," said the squire with a sigh; "but what can be done?
I suppose this unprincipled fellow has a right to the children as their
father, and to poor Julia too, as she is his wife."

"True, father; but it will never do to leave her as she is; and I cannot
bear the thought of those dear children being left to the tender mercies
of such a man."

"Well, and where is your poor sister herself at this time?" asked Mr
Huntingdon.

"There, again, I am in a difficulty," said Amos. "When I first got to
know how my dear sister was situated, and where she was living, she made
me promise that I would not let any one know where the place was, and
specially not you. I suppose she was afraid that something would be
done against her husband, whom she had a great affection for, if our
family knew where she lived; and she also indulged, I grieve to say,
much bitterness of feeling towards yourself, which I have done my best
to remove. So she would not hear of my telling any one where she is
living; and indeed she has moved about from place to place. But I am
still under the promise of secrecy."

"Well," said his father, with a sigh, "I will not of course ask you to
break your word to her; but better times will come for her, poor thing,
I hope."

"I hope so too, dear father. But you will understand now, I feel sure,
why I wish to be absent for a day or two, that I may see how things are
really going on with her and with the poor children."

"But will it be safe for you to go?" asked his father anxiously. "Will
not that villain entrap you again, or do you some bodily harm?"

"I am not afraid, father. My own opinion is that the unhappy man will
not remain long in this country; and that, after what has happened these
last two days, he will feel it to be his wisdom to keep as clear of me
as possible."

"Perhaps so; but I must say I don't like the thoughts of your going
alone on such an expedition, after what has already happened."

"Nay, dear father, I believe I ought to go. I believe that duty calls
me; and so I may expect that God will take care of me."

"Well, go then, my boy; and, see, take these two ten-pound notes to your
poor sister. It is not fair that all the burden should fall upon you.
These notes will at any rate keep her from want for a time; she can put
them into safe keeping with her landlady. And tell her"--here his voice
faltered--"that they are sent her with her father's love, and that