“I declare I was so struck all in a heap that I hardly knew whether I was standing on my head or my heels. Johnny was drawing pictures on the slate by my side. And the livery stable was no great distance off; so I said ‘Yes,’ and sent the boy right away to call the carriage. “And she went up stairs to put on her things, and I went down into the kitchen to make her a cup of tea and a round of toast; for I knew I should have time to do it, because the livery men would be at least twenty minutes getting the carriage ready; and the kettle was already boiling; and I was determined she shouldn’t go out of my house without her tea. So, sure enough in about ten minutes I had it all ready, and took it up on the waiter, and set it on the parlor table. She was sitting there, with her bonnet and shawl on, and her traveling basket in her hand. “‘Try and eat a bit, my dear,’ I said. ‘You will have plenty of time. The carriage won’t be here for ten minutes yet.’ “She smiled and thanked me her own gracious way, that always reminds me of a princess, though I never saw one, and she sat down and drank the tea and ate the toast, and by that time the carriage came, little Johnny riding on the box with the driver. “So she got up and sent the driver up to her room to bring her trunk down; and while he was doing that, she took out her little purse and paid me the week’s board, though it wanted two days of being due. And then she gave me this letter for you. “And when the man had put her trunk on the carriage, she bade us all good-bye. “‘But where are you going, my dear?’ I asked, as I held her hand, unwilling—oh, yes, the Lord knows how unwilling to see her go. “‘To Baltimore,’ she answered. “‘But there is no train to-night,’ I said. “‘I shall go by the very first train in the morning. In order to make sure of it, I shall stop to-night at the best hotel that I can find nearest the station.’ “And so, kissing me and thanking me for what she called my motherly kindness to her, she went out. “‘But you will write and let us know how you are?’ I called after her. “‘Yes, yes,’ she answered, waving her hand from the carriage which was then driving off.” The widow ceased to speak, and Erminie, leaning her head upon her hand, sighed deeply. “And is that all you can tell me, Mrs. Burton?” inquired Miss Rosenthal. “Every bit, my dear.” “You haven’t heard a word from her since?” “Not one word.” “Have you the least idea of what she intends to do in Baltimore?” “Not the least. She went away so suddenly that I hadn’t time to question her much, even if she would have submitted to be questioned. Dear me, it all passed like a flash of lightning. Before I could realize that she was going, she was gone!” said the widow. Then, after a short pause, she inquired: “Have you any suspicion what she intends to do, Miss Rosenthal?” “Indeed no. I wish to Heaven I had!” answered Erminie, mournfully.