Meantime, the new nurse had ascended the stairs and unlocked her captive's door. She rapped respectfully before entering; but, as usual, Mollie deigned no notice, and after waiting an instant, she turned the handle and went in. Mollie had resumed her seat by the window, and, with her chin resting on her hand, was gazing with gloomy eyes at the evening mists rising over the bleak gray sea. Much weeping had dulled the luster of those sparkling eyes and paled the bright bloom of the once rounded cheeks. The Christmas snows were not whiter nor colder than the girl who sat there and stared in blank despair at the wide sea. "I beg your pardon, miss," said Mrs. Susan Sharpe, halting in the door-way; "I want to come in." At the sound of the strange voice, the prisoner wheeled suddenly around and confronted her. "Come in, then," she said: and Mrs. Sharpe came slowly in and closed the door. "Who are you?" Mollie asked, transfixing her with her steadfast gaze. "I never saw you before." "No, miss; I only came from New York to-day." "Who are you?" "I'm Susan Sharpe." "And what are you doing here?" "I'm to be your nurse, miss. Doctor Oleander hired me and brought me down." "Doctor Oleander is a villain, and you are, I suspect, his tool." "I'm sorry you think so, miss," Mrs. Susan Sharpe said, composedly. "Is there anything I can do for you?" But Mollie did not reply. She was staring at her new attendant with all her might. "Who are you?" she said, breathlessly. "Surely someone I know." The woman smiled. "No one you know, miss--unless you have the advantage of me. I don't suppose you ever heard my name before." "I don't suppose I have," retorted Miss Dane; "but I have certainly heard your voice." "No! Have you, now? Where, I wonder?" Mollie gazed at her wistfully, scrutinizingly. Surely that face, that voice, were familiar; and yet, as soon as she strove to place them, all became confusion. She turned away with a sigh. "It's of no use. I suppose you're in league with the rest. I think the people in this house have hearts harder than stone." "I'm very sorry for you, miss, if that's what you mean," said Mrs. Susan Sharpe, respectfully. "Yours is a very sad affliction, indeed." "A very sad affliction! Do you mean being imprisoned here?" "Oh, dear, no, miss!" looking embarrassed. "I mean--I'm sure, I beg your pardon, miss--I mean--" "You mean you pretend to believe Doctor Oleander's romance," interrupted Mollie, contemptuously. "You mean I am crazy!" "Don't be angry, miss," said Mrs. Sharpe, deprecatingly. "I wouldn't give offense for the world." "Look at me," said Mollie, impetuously--"look me in the face, Susan Sharpe, and tell me if I look like one insane!" Mrs. Sharpe turned the mild light of the green glasses on the pale, excited young face. "No, miss, I can't say you do; but it isn't for me to judge. I'm a poor woman, trying to turn an honest penny--"