"Yes, yes, I know, my poor dear child," he said, tenderly. "It is cruelly hard upon you, but what can I do? I am waiting and hoping that James Wilton on finding his helplessness will become more open to making some kind of reasonable terms. I am sure you would be willing to meet him." "To meet him again? Oh, no, I could not. The thought is horrible," she cried. "He seems to have broken faith so, after all his promises to my dying father." "He has," said Garstang, solemnly; "but you misunderstand me; I did not mean personally meet him, but in terms, which would be paying so much money--in other words, buying your freedom." "Oh, yes, yes," she cried, wildly, "at any cost. It is as you said one evening, guardian; I am cursed by a fortune." "Cursed indeed, my dear. But there, try and be hopeful and patient, and we will have more walks of an evening. Only to think of it, our having to steal out at night like two thieves, for a dark walk in Russell Square sometimes. I don't wonder that the police used to watch us." "If I could only write a few letters, guardian!" "Yes, my dear, if you only could. I cannot say to you, do not, only lay the case before you once again." "Yes, yes, yes," she said, hastily wiping away a few tears. "I am very, very foolish and ungrateful; but now that's all over, and I am going to be patient, and wait for freedom. I am far better off than many who are chained to a sick bed." "No," he said, gently, shaking his head at her; "far worse off. Sickness brings a dull lassitude and indifference to external things. The calm rest of the bedroom is welcome, and the chamber itself the patient's little world. You, my dear, are in the full tide of life and youth, with all its aspirations, and must suffer there, more. But there; I am working like a slave to settle a lot of business going through the courts; and as soon as I can get it over we will take flight somewhere abroad, away from the gilded cage, out to the mountains and forests, where you can tire me out with your desires to be in the open air." "I--I don't think I wish to leave England," she said, hesitatingly, and with the earnest far-off look in her eyes that he had seen before. "Well, well, we will find some secluded place by the lakes, where we are not likely to be found out, and where the birds will sing to you. And, here's a happy thought, Kate, my child--you shall have some fellow prisoners." "Companions?" she said, eagerly. "Yes, companions," he replied, with a smile; "but I meant birds-- canaries, larks--what do you say to doves? They make charming pets." "No, no," she said, hastily; "don't do that, Mr Garstang. One prisoner is enough." He bowed his head. "You have only to express your wishes, my child," he said.--"Then you are going to try and drive away the clouds?" "Oh, yes, I am going to be quite patient," she said, smiling at him; and she placed her hands in his.