"We have been discussing secrets very freely in your presence, my kind hostess, but I suppose you know how to keep silence regarding them." "Wild horses should not drag a word from me, sir, without permission," replied she, earnestly. "I fully believe it," answered Mr. Shelton. "Therefore I shall commission Mrs. Colville to take you fully into our confidence after I leave here. You will thereby hear a very romantic story regarding the young lady whom you so nobly befriended some time ago." "Bless her sweet face! I never shall forget her," said Mrs. Mason, on whom indeed that little incident had made a deep and lasting impression. "I hope you may yet have the pleasure of meeting her under more favorable auspices," said the detective, strong in the faith that he should yet rescue Lily from her cruel and unrelenting captors. "Mr. Shelton," said the invalid, abruptly, "I have been thinking of sending for my poor old mother from the country. I must tell you that I ran away from home to marry that villain, Colville. I have never seen my poor old mother since, but I sent her my marriage certificate to keep for me, and to assure her that I was an honorable wife. I have never seen or heard from her since. I would like to see her very much." "Well?" he said, as she paused, looking wistfully at him. "Would you advise me to send for her?" asked Fanny. Mr. Shelton took down a little mirror hanging over the small toilet table and held it before her face. "Is it possible your mother would recognize you?" he inquired, gently. Poor Fanny did not know how sadly she was changed before. She looked at herself and shuddered. "Oh! no, sir!" said she, mournfully; "I was a black-eyed, rosy-cheeked young girl when I left home. I am a gray-headed skeleton now." "Then take my advice and wait a little while. In the meantime, let Mrs. Mason feed you and nurse you until you get some flesh on your limbs, and some color in your ghostly face. Then as soon as you get strong enough to travel, I myself will take you home to your mother." "Oh! thank you, thank you; that will be best," she murmured, gratefully. "No thanks," he answered, and bidding them adieu, he went hurriedly away. CHAPTER XXX. Lily Lawrence leaned back in the physician's carriage and wept silently as she was whirled onward to her new prison. Her companions were very taciturn. Doctor Pratt was driving and gave the most of his attention to his task. Beyond one or two questions as to her comfort he did not address either Lily or Colville. The latter sat entirely silent opposite the young girl through the whole time. At length, after several miles of rapid driving the carriage came to a pause, and the young girl was lifted out in front of a large, frowning brick edifice which loomed up gloomily in the darkness of the chilly night. She was led up a flight of stone steps and Doctor Pratt rang the bell.