Nance’s kind heart was immediately touched. “Do not be hard on her,” she said, speaking to Leah; “she really meant no harm. She came out on purpose to see me. She was curious, I suppose—it was perfectly natural, was it not?” “Yes, yes, that is it—it was perfectly natural,” said the mad woman. “You hear her, Leah, she said I meant no harm. I only came out to tell her what she ought to know. For instance—the cellars.” “Hold your tongue this minute,” said Leah. “If you’ll have the goodness, madam,” she continued, addressing Mrs. Rowton, “to leave us now, I think I can take Mrs. Cameron home quietly. She was excited last night and is not quite herself. Of course, you know well enough, that anything she may tell you is not of the slightest consequence.” “Ha! ha! Leah, you know better than that,” laughed Mrs. Cameron. Her laugh was so wild that it was blood-curdling. “Good-bye,” said Nance in a kind and steady voice. She held out her hand, and the mad lady seized it in a fierce grip. “I like you—I love you,” she said. “Yes, yes, even I—even I can love, and I love you—you are a sweet little girl. I’ll be your friend. Be sure you come to me when you _really_ want a friend. Good-bye, good-bye, pretty little Mrs. Rowton.” She turned as she spoke, and Nance walked away through the wood. She had been brave enough during the interview, but now she trembled exceedingly. She felt suddenly quite weak and faint. When Murray discovered her, she was leaning against a tree too exhausted to proceed on her walk. The boy’s eyes were red as if he had been crying, but when he saw Nance a smile flitted bravely across his face. “Oh! don’t think about me,” he said. “I am so glad you are safe. Of course, you got a fright—you are not accustomed to this sort of thing. I am—I mean there have often been scenes like this one, and mother has said dreadful things of me. It is rather hard to hear your own mother speak of you like that, is it not? but I know she does not mean it—it is just her awful affliction. I love her very much. There is nothing I would not do for her. She has been very badly used, but I will not go into that now. May I take you home?” “Yes, Murray, I am dreadfully tired,” said Nance in a faint voice. Murray gave her his shoulder to lean on. “Lean hard,” he said; “I am a splendid stick.”