To turn back the lock was but the work of an instant; and then she seized the chain and tried to raise it from the spiral fastening, with steps coming nearer at every turn: one--two--three--would it never come off? Must she be dragged back again when she was so near to liberty? It was a lifelong task condensed in a few seconds. The last turn--the chain falling with a heavy clang--the door dragged open, as a firm hand grasped her shoulder, and tried to draw her back. Then a wild, despairing shriek rang down Borton Street, as a momentary struggle ensued for liberty. Volume 3, Chapter XXI. TIM RUGGLES SETS HIMSELF RIGHT. "Mr Pellet, sir," said Tim Ruggles, "I ran out of Mr Purkis's shop, sir, like a madman. Yesterday, sir, I think it was: no, it wasn't, it was the day before, or some other time, I don't know when, for my head's all in a wuzzle, sir, and I hardly know what's what. But I ran out of his shop, sir, after he had whispered two words in my ear, and them two words, sir, were--`Mrs Ruggles.'" "There!" interrupted Mrs Pellet; "that's all a part of the past now, so let it be forgotten. But sit down." "Yes, ma'am," said Tim, standing in his old position by the chimney-piece; "it's all a part of the past, but if you'll let me set myself right with your family, I shall be glad." "Right! set yourself right! why, you are right," said Jared, warmly. "You don't suppose we ever thought that you knew?" "No, sir," said Tim, still standing; "perhaps not, sir; but I should like to tell you all about it, sir. It will ease my mind, like, so let me be obstinate for once in a way. You see, sir, I was stunned like that morning, and hardly knew what to make of things. Your good lady had partly told me the misfortune, as you may recollect, perhaps, when you came and stopped her, sir--when I rushed off to Mr Purkis's; and then, after a long talk with him, feeling worse than ever, I ran all the way to Carnaby Street, sending the people right and left, sir, for I wouldn't believe it true; and being a married man, sir, which makes two one, it seemed to me that I was in it, and had been the cause of it all, and ungrateful to you, as is the best friend I ever had. No, sir, I wouldn't believe, though young Ichabod Gunnis had told me, and Mrs Pellet had quietly said the same, and then beadle Purkis; but when I rushed up into my room in Carnaby Street--first-floor back, first bell, two pulls--I knew it was all true then, for there was a letter on the table, as I afterwards found was written to Mrs Ruggles' relations to say she was coming. And there she was, sir, trembling in the middle of the room, dressed and ready to go, sir; Sunday things on, and three or four big bundles about, with all the best of everything we had got packed up; and there was the four teaspoons, and my first wife's brooch. When I saw all this, I recollected as there was a cab standing at the door when I came in; and then, without her dropping the bundle she was