“Certainly. What makes you think otherwise?” “Never mind my thoughts. Swear that you will leave this place. If you refuse――――” “Well, what if I refuse?” “I will burn this note before your very eyes,” exclaimed Bessie Dalton, holding it over the fire. “What would you do? Are you mad, Bessie?” “Swear!” ejaculated the girl. “If it’s any satisfaction, I do swear. In the name of the most High and Mighty I pledge myself to leave this house to-night.” “And never to return to it from your own free will.” “And never to return to it from my own free will.” “That is enough. Now I feel assured that you are in earnest. So am I; for I tell you plainly that I shall not rest till I see you out of the house.” “Upon my word you appear in a monstrous hurry to get rid of me.” “No matter about that. You’ll have to go, and it’s no use making long faces about it. Come, dear, put your things together, and we’ll away at once.” “We! are you going, then, as well?” “I purpose bearing you company for to-night, at all events.” “And whither are we to go?” “Leave that to me. I have an old friend who lives but a few miles hence. We can stop with her for to-night, and in the morning we shall have a little leisure to arrange our plans for the future.” “You’re a brave girl, Bessie; I wish I had your nerve,” said Mrs. Bristow, who proceeded at once to look up several garments which were necessary for her immediate use. Bessie Dalton went upstairs to her own apartment, and brought therefrom a capacious carpet bag, which she handed to her companion. Poor Mrs. Bristow was suffering terribly from the blows inflicted upon her by her brutal husband. She was sadly bruised and disfigured, but bore up as best she could. She had one sincere friend in the hour of her affliction, this being Bessie Dalton. “Put all you want in the bag,” said the latter, “and bid adieu for ever to this miserable place, in which you have suffered so much.” “I intend to do so――rest assured of that.” While the unhappy wife was thus engaged her companion once more proceeded to examine the shattered looking glass. As yet she had but taken a curious glance at the article in question. Now she made a more searching and minute inspection of it. She removed the remains of the plate from its front and then uttered an expression of surprise and wonder. The back was literally lined with Bank of England notes. Bessie’s head seemed to swim as she made this unlooked-for discovery. “Heaven be merciful to us!” she exclaimed. “See here, there are more of them――a whole heap.” “What!” ejaculated Mrs. Bristow, whose heart was by this time beating audibly. “I feel as if about to swoon.” “Bear up, dear,” said her friend. “You have nothing to fear, but everything to hope. Here are several notes for a thousand pounds. You are an independent woman, and the possessor of fabulous wealth. Be of good cheer. A bright future is before you. Now we know what to do.”