“Not unconditionally,” replied Ada. “For one month from now I do promise.” “To make no effort to leave here?” “I will be passive merely. I will repel no one.” “But you will remain?” “Unsought by any one, I will not leave this place.” “You swear?” “No, Jacob Gray, I will not swear.” “Well! I—I will take your word. You have made a wise decision.” “Heaven knows I am helpless,” said Ada. “The decision is scarcely mine.” She burst into tears, and wept bitterly. The name of Albert mingled with her sobs, for she felt now that she was separated from him for an indefinite period. “Heaven help me,” she sobbed, “I am now desolate, indeed.” “Hope,” cried Gray. “Hope, Ada. The time may come sooner than you think. The time for my revenge, but I must have more gold yet—much more gold; then, Ada, begins your triumph. You shall find yourself raised to a height you dream not of. Jacob Gray’s revenge shall be your fortune. You need not weep. You will cause tears of blood—yes, the blood of those who would have murdered me, but they dare not. Ha! Ha! They dared not; and Jacob Gray is still too cunning—far too cunning to fall their victim.” Ada sat silent and spirit-broken in that lonely house. A weight seemed to hang upon her heart, and even hope, that one dear solace of the unfortunate, appeared to have flown from her breast. Gray had brought food with him, which Ada partook of in silence, and when the night had come, and the short-lived winter’s sun had gone to rest, he took his hat and cloak, and prepared to go forth. “Ada,” he said, “attend to nothing—heed nothing while I am gone. If danger—that is, I mean, if any one should venture here, extinguish your light, and seek some hiding-place, for be assured, your life is the object sought by those who would visit the dwelling of Jacob Gray. You understand me. Be cautious.” Ada answered not, and Gray slouching his hat over his face, and drawing his cloak closely around him, left the lone house with a slow and stealthy step, taking his route towards the river’s bank, from where he took a boat to Westminster. CHAPTER XXVI. The Squire.—The Life of a Captive.—A Strange Fatality.—The Associates.