There came three gentle taps upon the door; Lady Nithsdale hastened to it; Amy gave the preconcerted sign, and she admitted her. Her face was pale, almost livid; her eyes seemed starting from her head; she staggered into the room, but she failed not carefully to close and double-lock the door behind her. "I came to tell you all that we have arranged," she said, in a broken voice; "and----I will speak in a moment...." "Oh, merciful Heaven! Do they suspect? Have they traced him?" cried Lady Nithsdale, in tremulous agony. "Oh, no! it is not that: my dear lord is safe,--I trust,--I hope; safe from that dreadful doom!" and Amy closed her eyes for a moment. "For pity's sake explain yourself,--dear, dear Amy!" "'Tis nothing,--it will pass. 'Tis nothing more than we all know. We knew this was the fatal morning; and I waited till all was over, for I dared not willingly risk seeing anything dreadful. I thought I might now venture here, for Mr. Mills, who was there, told me all was accomplished. I came to tell you we have hopes for my lord's speedy departure. But oh! I did not wait long enough! The scaffold is still up," she continued, shuddering at the recollection, "all hung with black cloth; and the block, the huge--bloody--wooden block,--and the saw-dust! Oh! my soul sickens!" Deep as was her anxiety for her lord's escape, the countess herself could not command words to inquire what were the hopes of accomplishing it, to which Amy alluded. All remained for some moments speechless, with eyes fixed on the ground, fearful to meet those of the other. At length Lady Nithsdale stole a glance towards her husband to see how he bore what Amy had just uttered. His face was concealed by both his hands. Amy was the first to recover herself: "The Venetian ambassador sends his coach next week to meet his brother at Dover; and we hope to persuade his excellency's servant, M. Michel, to take charge of my lord. He is one on whom we may depend. He is under great obligations to Mr. and Mrs. Mills, and would do anything to repay them; and when once he is safe away, he is not responsible to those in power here. Yes, dearest madam, I have good hope that all will turn out right," continued Amy, striving to shake off the horror which had overpowered her when first she entered. "Thanks, my faithful, true friend!" and Lady Nithsdale tenderly embraced her. Lord Nithsdale appeared not to heed what they had said; but, in a low, hollow voice, inquired, with his face averted,--for he shrunk from showing to any eye but his own Winifred's, the traces of deep emotion which he could not master,--"Did Mr. Mills mention any particulars?" "Nothing very particular," answered Amy, shuddering at the question. "Did the lords address the people?" he again asked, his face still averted, and with a forced calmness in his tone. "I believe they did, my lord." "Was Mr. Mills within hearing?"