"Oh, indeed I am grateful if indeed you saved my life," she cried. "But ask me for some other reward. Take my eternal gratitude, my undying friendship, take the last penny of my fortune, but spare me my happiness!" "You rave, Lily," he answered, coldly. "Nothing you have offered me has any value in my eyes except yourself. I will never, never resign you. You are in my power here. To all the world you are dead. You shall remain so until you marry me!" "I will never, never marry you!" she cried, with passionate defiance. "We shall see," he answered, angrily; but his words fell on deaf ears. She had fallen back in a deep swoon. He went out and sent Haidee to assist her while he hurriedly left the house. The swoon was a deep one. Lily lay quite exhausted after she revived, and was still and speechless for some hours. Doctor Pratt came that night and gave her another sleeping potion. She took it quietly without remark, and slept heavily all night. The sun was high in the heavens next day when old Haidee, sitting by her pillow, started to find those large blue eyes fixed thoughtfully upon her. She ran and brought a nourishing breakfast up-stairs to her patient. "You are better," said she, in her cracked voice, seeing that Lily ate with an appetite. "I am stronger," said she, as Haidee removed the tray. She was quiet a while after the old crone had taken her seat and resumed her knitting. Presently she asked, abruptly: "What is your name?" "They call me Haidee," said the old woman, shortly. "Do you live here alone, Haidee?" "My old man lives with me," said she. "You are very poor, I suppose," said Lily, letting her eyes rove over the poorly furnished bedroom. "Miserably poor, honey," said old Haidee, while an avaricious light gleamed in her small black eyes. "Is this place in New York?" asked the patient. "Thereabouts," answered old Haidee. "Would you like to earn some money--heaps of shining gold?" asked the girl, timidly. The old woman's beady eyes sparkled. "Aye, that I would," said she. "If you will carry a little note to my father for me, I'll give you plenty of money," said Lily, tremblingly. "Where is your money?" asked Haidee, cautiously. "I have no money with me," said Lily, "but my father will give you some when you take him this note." "The pay must be in advance," said Haidee, provokingly, "I can't trust your promise." Lily looked about her despairingly. There was nothing valuable about her except a diamond ring on her finger. Her eyes fell upon that. "I will give you my diamond ring if you will carry the note to my father." "Aye, aye, but your captors would miss it from your finger," said Haidee, watching the sparkling jewel with greedy eyes. "They would suspect you had bribed me, and they would kill old Haidee." "That is true," murmured the patient, sadly. She lay a little while lost in thought, then her face grew bright.