It is said that when Perseus carried the hideous head of the Gorgon Medusa through the air, the gore which dripped from it as he passed over the desert of Libya turned into frightful serpents: so does the moral filth which the corruption of great cities distils, engender grovelling and venomous wretches like that old hag. Well—she dressed herself in her best attire, and contemplated herself with satisfaction in a little mirror cracked all across. Then, having partaken of a hearty breakfast, she sallied forth. By means of a public conveyance she soon reached the vicinity of Markham Place. She had never been in that neighbourhood before; and when she beheld the spacious mansion, with its heavy but imposing architecture, she muttered to herself, "She is well lodged—she is well lodged!" The hag then strolled leisurely round Richard's miniature domain, debating within herself whether she should knock boldly at the front door and inquire for Miss Monroe, or wait in the neighbourhood to see if that young lady might chance to walk out alone. The day was fine, though cold; and the hag accordingly resolved to abide by the latter alternative. Perceiving a seat upon the summit of the hill, whereon stood the two trees, she opened the gate at the foot of the path which led to the top. Then she toiled up the hill, and seated herself between the two ash trees—now denuded of their foliage. Presently, as her eyes wandered hither and thither, they fell upon the inscriptions engraved on the stem of one of the trees. Thus they stood:— EUGENE. _Dec. 25, 1836._ EUGENE. _May 17th, 1838._ The old woman marvelled what that name, twice inscribed, and those dates could mean. But she did not trouble herself much with conjecture on that point: she had other business on hand, and was growing impatient because Ellen did not appear. At length her penetrating eyes caught a glimpse of a female form approaching from the direction of the garden at the back of the mansion. The hag watched that form attentively, and in a few moments exclaimed joyfully, "It is she!" Ellen was indeed advancing up the hill. She had come forth for a short ramble; and the clearness of the day had prompted her to ascend the eminence which afforded so fine a view of the mighty metropolis at a little distance. When she was near the top, she caught sight of a female seated upon the bench between the trees, and was about to retreat—fearful that her presence might be deemed a reproach for what was in fact an intrusion upon private property. But, to her surprise, she observed the female beckoning familiarly to her; and she continued her way to the summit. Then, with profound astonishment and no little annoyance, she recognised the old hag. "What are you doing here?" demanded Ellen, hastily.