"If you will tell me what kind of things people can escape from, I will answer you," said his strange companion, still becoming more composed. "Hush! I said what was true. The governess, you know, had your address. Is it very long since yesterday when I got that news from Dover? Never mind. I daresay I am asking wild questions that cannot have any answer. Do you remember being here with me once before? Do you remember looking through the grating and seeing----? Ah, there is Mr. Fordham now with Alice! Poor young man!" said Mrs. Hilyard, turning once more to look at him, still vigilant and anxious, but with a softened glance. "Poor minister! I told you not to fall in love with her lovely face. I told you she was kind, too kind--she does not mean any harm. I warned you. Who could have thought then that we should have so much to do with each other?" she resumed, shrinking from him, and trying to conceal how she shrank with another convulsive shiver; "but you were going to visit your people or something. I must not keep you, Mr. Vincent; you must go away." "Not till you have returned to the house; and given me your word of honour," said Vincent, "not to escape, or to attempt to escape; or else I must tell her everything, or give you up into stronger hands. I will not leave you here." "My word! but women are not bound by their honour; our honour means--not our word," cried Mrs. Hilyard, wildly; "my parole, he means; soldiers, and heroes, and men of honour give their parole; you don't exact it from women. Words are not kept to us, Mr. Vincent; do you expect us to keep them? Yes, yes; I know I am talking wildly. Is it strange, do you think? But what if I give you my word, and nobody sends me any further news--nothing about my child? Women are only wild animals when their children are taken from them. I will forget it, and go away for news--news! That is what I want. Escape!" she repeated, with a miserable cry; "who can escape? I do not understand what it means." "But you must not leave this house," said Vincent, firmly. "You understand what I mean. You must not leave Lady Western. Go with her where she pleases; but unless you promise on your honour to remain here, and with her, I shall be obliged----"