“Do you hear?” he cried, as I stood motionless. I said nothing. “Do as I say, d--n you, or I’ll make you.” “Come,” said Clark, “don’t make a fuss about the wench now--it’ll be all right. She’ll like kissing well enough, and be only too glad to give me one before a week.” “Yes, but she ought to be made to do it now.” “Not necessary, Johnnie; all in good time.” My master was silent for some moments. At last he spoke again: “Girl,” said he. “You are to be married tomorrow. There won’t be any invited guests, but you needn’t mind that. You’ll have your husband, and that’s more than you deserve. You don’t want any new dresses. Your ball dress will do.” “Come, I won’t stand that,” said Clark. “She’s got to be dressed up in tip-top style. I’ll stand the damage.” “Oh, d--n the damage. If you want that sort of thing, it shall be done. But there won’t be time.” “Oh well, let her fix up the best way she can.” At this I turned and left the room. None of them tried to prevent me. I went up to my chamber, and sat down thinking. The hour had come. This is my last entry. My only refuge from horror unspeakable is the Poison. Perhaps one day some one will find my journal where it is concealed. Let them learn from it what anguish may be endured by the innocent. May God have mercy upon my soul! Amen. October 14, 11 o’clock.--Hope! Mrs. Compton came to me a few minutes since. She had received a letter from Philips by Asgeelo. She said the Hindu wished to see me. He was at my door. I went there. He told me that I was to fly from Brandon Hall at two o’clock in the morning. He would take care of me. Mrs. Compton said she was to go with me. A place had been found where we could get shelter. Oh my God, I thank thee! Already when I heard this I was mixing the draught. Two o’clock was the hour on which I had decided for a different kind of flight. Oh God! deliver the captive. Save me, as I put my trust in thee! Amen. CHAPTER XLVI. THE LAST ESCAPE. The hour which Beatrice had mentioned in her diary was awaited by herewith feverish impatience. She had confidence in Asgeelo, and this confidence was heightened by the fact that Mrs. Compton was going to accompany her. The very timidity of this poor old creature would have prevented her from thinking of escape on any ordinary occasion; but now the latter showed no fear. She evinced a strange exultation. She showed Philips’s letter to Beatrice, and made her read it over and over again. It contained only a few words. “The time has come at last. I will keep my word to you, dear old woman. Be ready tonight to leave Brandon Hall and those devils forever. The Hindu will help you. “EDGAR.”