Her wound! She gave a start and memory rushed over her. She was conscious too of a sharp, stinging pain in her breast, and the clothing upon it, she perceived, was stiffened and red with clotted blood. So that horrible creature had not quite killed her! She made no answer, for Oran Delaney moved quickly away, giving place to the masked physician. The nurse brought a basin of water, sponges, and linen, and he deftly bathed and dressed the wound, gazing curiously, now and then, at the beautiful, frightened face of his patient, who lay still as death with only a smothered moan, now and then, instantly stifled on her pale, almost icy, lips. “I will be as gentle as I can,” he said to her, kindly, but Aline did not speak. She had closed her eyes and relapsed into unconsciousness. When she unclosed them again, the masked physician was gone. She was alone with the quiet, grave-looking nurse in the dimly lighted room. A sensation of fear came over her. Why was she kept in this mysterious house with this strange woman? Where was her mother? She looked at the stranger, and asked, anxiously. “Am I in Mr. Delaney’s house?” The woman gave her a quiet, affirmative nod in reply. “And mamma--have you sent for her?” inquired Aline. “You must not talk, my dear,” answered the woman, soothingly. “You have not answered my question, and I want mamma, I must have her!” Aline cried out, in her imperious young voice, for she had forgotten her fear of her mother’s anger in her terror at the mysteries surrounding her. Oh, to be back under the safe little roof of the cottage that nestled under the shadow of this frowning mansion, to fling her arms around her mother’s neck, confessing her folly and pleading for forgiveness. “You do not answer me,” she said, after waiting vainly for an answer from the quiet nurse. “Tell me, why am I detained in this house?” “You ought to know how you came to be here, miss,” the woman answered, almost sullenly. “As for the rest, you are seriously wounded, and not able to be moved.” “Then you should have sent for my mother,” said Aline, with pretty, peremptory dignity. “She will be dreadfully frightened at my absence. Let some one bring her at once.” “Let us wait until to-morrow, dear,” said the nurse, persuasively. “I cannot wait,” said the girl, uneasily, and with an unutterable yearning at her heart for the mother whom she had so often grieved by her follies and willfulness. “Where is Mr. Delaney? Go, and send him here. Surely he will let me have mamma.” The woman glided softly out, and Aline, left alone in the strange room with its shadowy corners and dimly burning lamp, shuddered with fear. What if that dreadful, murderous creature should return and finish her work! “I shall die here miserably, and never see mamma and home again. Oh, how terribly I am punished for my thoughtlessness and folly!” wept Aline, filled with bitter repentance.