"To-morrow may be too late! They will all be in the great saloon at the other end of the house acting of plays. Miss is shut in her room. They will not let me near her. I sign no names for fear of accidents. Remember, to-night." This, disentangled from her peculiar spelling, was Mrs. Wilson's note. Mrs. Deborah looked at me in dismay. "What can we do?" said she. I considered a moment, and a plan darted into my head, which I proceeded to open to Mrs. Deborah. "That might do so far as getting Amabel away from the house is concerned!" said Mrs. Deborah. "But what to do with her afterward? I could not keep her here with any safety, and there are strong reasons against her going to Newcastle!" "I have an idea about that too!" I returned. "But we must call Elsie and her nephew in council. I think we can depend on their fidelity." "My life for Elsie in such a case!" said Mrs. Deborah. "I will send for her at once." Elsie made her appearance and I told her what I had in my head. Alick had ridden a stout pony and Mrs. Deborah had plenty of others, for horses were abundant and cheap in those days, in the North. Why should not Amabel and myself return with Alick to Eskdale, and take refuge with Lady Thornyhaugh till better times? "And indeed mem, the lasses—I mean the young leddies—could not do better. Alick will ken every pass among the hills by night as well as by day, and by noon to-morrow, they may be in safety," said Elsie. Alick being called in, laughed at the idea of pursuit, once we were among the hills. "It will no be very mirk after midnight, though I doubt there's a storm brewing. I ken every path between here and Eskdale. Let us once have a gude start and let them follow wha' can!" "And Mary and me will just slip cannily awa' after dark to the house of a seventh cousin of my ain, who will give us a blythe welcome!" added Elsie. "Then if any one hears of Alick's riding home with two women, folk may just think it was his joe * and his auld auntie." * Sweetheart. There was little time to lose, for it was drawing toward night already, and by midnight we must be well on our way. Every thing favored us. The night was dark, with a fitful wind from the east, which I well knew would make all sorts of eerie noises about the old hall. I made up two bundles of needful clothing, dressed myself in a thick gray woolen gown, and wrapping my plaid about me, I stole up through the woods to the Hall. The east wing was brilliantly lighted, as was also the great hall, and the sound of musical instruments told me that the revel was in full progress. In the west wing burned only one dim light, and that I well knew was in Amabel's room.