"I may not see you again for several weeks, Lily; but if you should change your mind and wish to recall me sooner, you need only signify it to Doctor Heath, and he will communicate with me at once." "I am not likely to change my mind," she answered, coldly, turning from him and following the strong-limbed young woman out of the room. Her guide led her up a stairway and along a wide hall, with a number of closed doors on each side. At length she paused and threw open the door, saying, politely: "This will be your room for the present, miss." Thus addressed, Lily stepped reluctantly across the threshold and looked around her. She found herself in a small and neatly-furnished room. The floor was covered with a bright, warm carpet, a nicely-cushioned chair was drawn before a comfortable fire, and a tray containing refreshments was placed on a little stand in front of it. The attendant entered behind her and closed the door. "Allow me to assist you," said she, removing Lily's cloak, and seating her in the easy-chair before the fire. Lily's lip quivered slightly at the gentle kindness of the woman's tone. Poor girl! harshness and coldness and threatening had become the only familiar sounds to her ears. This woman, though she looked young herself, assumed a motherly tone like one talking to a sick child. "You would like a cup of tea, I reckon," said she, pouring out the fragrant beverage, and putting in cream and sugar, "and a bit of this toast and cold chicken? You look very cold and tired, my dear." "Thank you," answered Lily, taking the tea and drinking it thirstily. After her long fast upon bread and water the food tasted simply delicious to her. She did not know how much its quality was sweetened by the kind looks of her attendant, who sat by and watched her with a good-natured smile on her round and rosy face. "Perhaps you would like me to help you to bed before I take away the tray," said she, as Lily finished her tea and leaned back wearily in her chair. "Thanks; presently I will avail myself of your kindness, but now I wish to ask you some questions," said Lily, quietly. "Yes, miss," said the woman, kindly, but she looked at Lily with a great deal of surprise at her tone. "What is your name?" inquired the young prisoner. "Mary Brown, if you please, miss," answered the woman in her kind, soothing tone. "You live here, I suppose, Mary?" pursued the young girl. "Yes, miss." "Then, Mary, I wish you would tell me what kind of a house this is. I have been fancying that it must be a hospital, as there seems to be a resident physician. Am I right?" "Oh! yes, miss, certainly, this is a hospital. We have a number of sick people here," said the woman, like one humoring an inquisitive child. "But don't you wish to retire now, miss? It's about midnight I should think." "In a minute, Mary. Tell me first, is it a public hospital?"