“Did any one believe it?” Nina asked, and somehow Miss Drusilla quickly gathered the yearning thought in her young mind. “Talbot did not believe it. He felt quite sure that you were innocent,” she replied, and she saw a look of relief pass quickly over the lovely face. “But, oh, Nina, why did you go away that night?” continued her aunt. “I went away to die, that Talbot might be free to marry the woman he loved so much,” answered the girl. “Oh, Aunt Drusilla, do not look so shocked! there was no other way for me. Talbot’s mother made me promise solemnly on her death-bed that I would always try to secure his happiness, that I would give him all my love and all my life. So when I found that his happiness could only be secured by a union with Mrs. St. Alban, what could I do but give him my life as I had promised Mamma?” Miss Drusilla raised her hands and eyes to heaven in holy horror. “Oh, you poor devoted child, Mrs. Selwyn did not mean that!” she cried. “She did not want you to kill yourself for the sake of that great, hulking, selfish fellow. She only meant for you to be true and faithful to him all your life, and to make him happy with your love.” That view of the matter had never occurred to Nina. She lay looking at her aunt with a mild surprise in her eyes. “And did you really try to kill yourself, poor darling?” cried Kitty. “Yes, I threw myself into the water the night I ran away, but Doctor Fielding saw me and saved my life. He took me to Baltimore, and I ran away again and drank some laudanum, but he had followed me, and he frustrated my purpose again. So then I was very ill, and as soon as I grew better I came back here.” “Repenting of your silliness in running away, and wishing to make it all up with Talbot?” Miss Drusilla inquired. Nina blushed through all her pallor, but she answered, readily. “No, indeed. It was no such pacific motive that brought me back. I came to get some money that I had hidden away in my jewel casket. Then I intended to steal away again unseen, but I was so unfortunate as to be caught by Kitty who would not let me go.” “Do you mean to say that you intended to live your life out away from us, and never let us know you were living?” Nina blushed and hung her head. “Yes, for Talbot’s sake, you know,” she answered. CHAPTER XXXI. THE ARREST OF NINA. Miss Drusilla looked profoundly vexed and annoyed at her niece’s answer.