Mrs. Lane reflected, hurriedly, for some moments, and then gave a correct answer, adding, at the same time, that for any attempted wrong, there would come a speedy and severe retribution. The next inquiry of the woman was as to her husband’s occupation, which was also answered correctly.
“And now,” added Mrs. Lane, with assumed firmness, “you had better let me retire from this place immediately, and thus avoid trouble, which, otherwise, you would be certain to have. My husband is a merchant of influence, and a man who will not stop at half measures in seeking to redress a wrong. This man, whoever he may be, who has so basely deceived me, will find, ere long, that he has done an act which will hot go unpunished, and that severely. As for yourself, be warned in time, and let me go from this place.”
Again Mrs. Lane sought to pass from the room, but was prevented. The woman was neither harsh, rude, nor insulting in her manner, but firmly refused to let her leave the house, saying—”I am responsible for your safe keeping, and cannot, therefore, let you go.”
She then urged her to go up-stairs and lay off her things, but Mrs. Lane refused, in the most positive manner, to leave the parlour.
“You will be more comfortable in the chamber we have prepared for you,” said the woman, coldly; “but you must do as you like. If you want any thing, you can ring for it.”
And saying this, she turned from the room, and locked the door through which she retired. The instant she was gone, Mrs. Lane sprang towards one of the front windows, threw it up and attempted to draw the bolt which fastened the shutter; but her effort was not successful: the bolt remained immovable. On a closer inspection, she found that it was locked. The back window was open, but a glance into the yard satisfied her that it would be useless to attempt escape in that way. Hopeless in mind and paralyzed in body, she again sank down inactive.
Little Mary, who had been left standing on the floor during this effort to escape, now came up to where she had thrown herself upon a sofa, and, laying her little face upon her breast, looked tearfully at her, and said, in a low, sorrowful voice—”Won’t papa come? I want my papa—my dear papa.”
Not a word could the mother reply to her unhappy child, who, in her folly, she had so wronged. Oh, what would she not have given at that moment to see the face of her husband!
Five or six hours had passed. In a small sitting room, near the parlour in which Mrs. Lane was still a prisoner, stood the man named Bond, and the woman who had received her.
“Mrs. Lane did you say she called herself?” said the man, with a sudden change of manner—”and from New York?”
“Yes.”
“Did you inquire her husband’s business?”
“She said he was a merchant of standing, and threatened both you and me with the severest consequences, if she were not instantly released.”
“Can it be possible!” remarked the man, and he stood in a musing attitude for some time. “I’m a little afraid this affair is not going to turn out quite so pleasantly as I at first supposed. I think I know her husband.”
“You do!”
“Yes. We have had several business transactions together, if he is the individual I suppose him to be.”
“Then you had better get her off of your hands as quickly as possible; and this will be no hard matter. Only open the cage-door, and the bird will fly.”
“Confound that Irish huzzy! She and her John Murphy have scared up a nice bit of adventure for me.”
“Both you and they ought to have known better than to expect any thing but trouble from a woman with a baby. As it is, the best thing for you is to get her off of your hands forthwith.”
“I don’t like to give up after progressing so far. It isn’t my disposition.”
“A wise man foresees evil, and gets out of its way.”
“True; and my better course is to step aside, I suppose. But what shall we do with her?”
“Open the cage-door, as I said, and let her escape.”
“Where will she go?”
“Have you any concern on that head?”
“Some. Moreover, I don’t just comprehend the meaning of her visit here alone at night, and without money. I wonder if, after all, there isn’t a lover in the case, who has failed to meet her.”
“Most likely,” returned the woman.
“In that event, why may not I take his place?”
“It will require her consent. Better have nothing more to do with her, and thus keep out of the way of trouble.
“Her husband, if she be the wife of the man I think she is,” said Bond, “will hardly stop at half-way measures in an affair like this.”
“So much the more reason for keeping out of his way.”
“Perhaps so; and yet I like adventure, especially when spiced with a little danger. Upon second thought, I’ll let her remain here until to-morrow.”
“Just as you like. But I’ve been unable to get her up-stairs; and she can’t stay in the parlour all night.”
“No. She must go to the chamber you have prepared for her.”
“How will we get her there?”
“Use every effort you can to induce her to comply with our wishes in this respect. I will come in after nightfall,
