October 3.--They leave me unmolested. They are waiting for some crushing blow, no doubt. Asgeelo sometimes meets me, and makes signs of encouragement. To-day Philips met me and said: “Don’t fear--the crisis is coming.” I asked what he meant. As usual he looked frightened and hurried away. What does he mean? What crisis? The only crisis that I can think of is one which fills me with dread. When that comes I will meet it firmly. October 10.--Mrs. Compton told me to-day that Philips had gone to London on business. The poor old thing looked very much troubled. I urged her to tell me what was the matter, but she only looked the more terrified. Why she should feel alarm about the departure of Philips for London I can not imagine. Has it any thing to do with me? No. How can it? My fate, whatever it is, must be wrought out here in this place. October 14.--The dreaded crisis has come at last. Will not this be my last entry? How can I longer avoid the fate that impends? This afternoon He sent for me to come down. I went to the dining-room expecting some horror, and I was not disappointed. The three were sitting there as they had sat before, and I thought that there was trouble upon their faces. It was only two o’clock, and they had just finished lunch. John was the first to speak. He addressed me in a mocking tone. “I have the honor to inform you,” said he, “that the time has arrived when you are to be took down.” I paid no attention whatever to these words. I felt calm. The old sense of superiority came over me, and I looked at Him without a tremor. My tyrant glanced at me with a dark scowl. “After your behavior, girl, you ought to bless your lucky stars that you got off as you did. If I had done right, I’d have made you pay up well for the trouble you’ve given. But I’ve spared you. At the same time I wouldn’t have done so long. I was just arranging a nice little plan for your benefit when this gentleman”--nodding his head to Clark--“this gentleman saved me the trouble.” I said nothing. “Come, Clark, speak up--it’s your affair--” “Oh, you manage it,” said Clark. “You’ve got the ‘gift of gab.’ I never had it.” “I never in all my born days saw so bold a man as timid with a girl as you are.” “He’s doin’ what I shouldn’t like to try on,” said John. “See here,” said my tyrant, sternly, “this gentleman has very kindly consented to take charge of you. He has even gone so far as to consent to marry you. He will actually make you his wife. In my opinion he’s crazy, but he’s got his own ideas. He has promised to give you a tip-top wedding. If it had been left to me,” he went on, sternly, “I’d have let you have something very different, but he’s a soft-hearted fellow, and is going to do a foolish thing. It’s lucky for you though. You’d have had a precious hard time of it with me, I tell you. You’ve got to be grateful to him; so come up here, and give him a kiss, and thank him.” So prepared was I for any horror that this did not surprise me.