From Eleven To Three.

had heard from hor daughter Mario Antoinette lately . It Avas an unfortunate topic to have chosen , for turning round sho glared afc me , and Avaving her long arms ever her head Avildly cried"Oh ! my murdered child , AA-horc is she ? If I could only got her back !" Then pausing Avith a look of i * OA-cngcful cunning in her eyes , she camo close up to mo , aud

Avhispered" I kuoAv you , Madame Roland , Avith j'our false talk of liberty ; you have killed her . ' " Then , almost in a shriek , " Heaven avenge my n-rongs ! " sho sank into n a chair , and covered her face Avith her hands . I AA-as glad to see her quiet , for I began to fear that sho Avas dangerous ; but thc calm did nofc last long , Avith one of her rapid changes , sho looked up at me , saying —•

" It is all a mistake of mine , you must bo Queen A'ictoria . Her eyes HOAV fastened on a handsome , diamond ring I ivas Avearing , and holding out her hand she Avent on , "Wo Avill SAA-car friendship over that ring , but it must be lirst placed on my finger . "

" We will see about thafc by-and-byc ; tell me move , about your strange journey here , " I said , thinking to turn hor attention from myring , but my attempt Avas not a success . She jumped up and plunging her hand into her pocket , to my horror , dreAV out an open knife . For a brief moment my courage deserted mo , but Avith an effort , I controlled myself .

" I'll cut off your finger if you don't givo ifc to mo at once , " she said threateningly . She looked as if sho AA-OUUI havo done it too ; and I Avas glad to pacify her by giving up my ring in exchange for hor knife , and folt easier when I had obtained possession of it . " " She became amiable again after that , saying , "Tho Duko of Wellington gavo it to mo threo hundred years ago , and I should be sorry to lose it . We aro friends noAv for life ; and AA-hcn you die I promise to bo your guardian angel . "

After a pause , holding up her finger with a look of alarm , " Listen ! do I hear wheels ? " she whispered . I assured her to tho contrary , Avhen sho looked relieved and said , " I hear noAA * , it is only the falls of Niagara , thoy aro someivhero near hero , but it doesn ' t matter Avhcro they are , because thoy will bo soon emptied out . " Turning round after this , sho SUAV tho piano , and going np to it , ran her fingers

over the keys , and began to sing in a cracked voice , Lovo Avas once a little boy . " Jnsfc as sho had sung a feAv lines , I heard a loud knock at tho hall-door . Sho did not seem to notice this , and I Avas beginning to Avondor if I could leave her , and find out Avho AA-as there , devoutly hoping it might be somo one in search of her . At the second knock and ring ( whicii sonnded alarmingly loud in the quiet house ) ,

sho turned Avith one of her sudden movements , and let her elboAvs crash doivu on fche piano ; thon jumping np and facing me , with a fierce gesture , yelled out" Wretch ; if you betray me , I will kill you . " Another loud ring and hor manner changed again to one of entroatv .

"Hide mo ! hide mo ! do not giA-o " mo up to that man . " Clutching my hand she dragged me , saying"Tako mo upstairs , put me anyAA-hero , under abed , in a closet , don't let him find mo . " Here she broke doAvn and sobbed pitifully . Doing my best to calm her , T took her up-stairs . My OAVU room AVUS tho first at hand , and leading her in , I placed her by the lire , saying she AA-ould bo quite safe there . But this did not satisfy her . Jumping up sho cautiously looked round the room and crept under the bed , thanking mo fervently for my

kindness . I hastened to lock her in , glad to bo rid nt last of my iiiiirelcoinc visitor , though I felt rather treacherous when I heard her prayers and blessings on mc as 1 closed the door . It seemed liko a betrayal of trust to givo hor up to Avhat she had such a horror of , for I felt pretty sure that somo ono in search of her ivns outside . Early in our interview I had concluded that she had escaped from an

asylum . As I unbarred tho hall-door , I could hear A-oiecs outside " You are sure you SIIAV her go in hero ? " Then tho ausAvcr rather hesitatingly , " Well , sir , there is no other houso near ; I SUAV her last near tho turn of the Avenue , and sho Avould bo sure to make for a light . "

As tho door opened , I SOAV the OAvners of the A-oiees . Ono ol them , a gentlemanly-looking man about forty , introduced himself as Dr . Armstrong . I felt sure it Avas he , for although 1 had never spoken to tho neAvly-nppointed doctor of the County Asylum , I had seen him driving once or tAvico ; tho other AA'as evidently n keeper .

From Eleven To Three.

Standing hat in hand , Dr . Armstrong apologised for disturbing me at such an hour , adding" Our business is A-ery unpleasant , ive have missed ono of our patients , and Collins ( turning to tho keeper ) thinks she is hidden someivhero about yonr houso ; if you AA-ould kindly alloAv ono of your servants to assist in the search , I should bo extremely obliged . "

I askod the doctor into tho drawing-room , and explained that 1 AA-as alono in the house , then Avent on to tell IIOAV the lunatic had come in , and gave a slight sketch of nil that had happened , not forgetting my ring , which Dr . Armstrong promised to got back for me . I concluded by saying she Avas safe upstairs . When I spoko of tho knife , he exclaimed " Mrs . Stanhope , you behaved Avith

Avouderful presence of mind aud great courage , but even your nerves might have given AA- ay had you knoAvn t at your unAvelcomo visitor AVUS a most dangerous homicidal maniac ; but for your ready Avit you might have been ono of her victims . Thank Heaven ! you aro safe . " I explained that I had had some experience Avith maniacs , and generally could manage them . This Dr . Armstrong said Avas a most nnnsual gift .

I naturally folt flattered that a lAian of snch experience should be so complimentary . I . Avas interested in the subject of tho brain , and encouraged him to talk , Avhich he did very Avell , and I Avas sorry Avhen ho asked mo to bo good enough to show him Avherc his patient A \ -as hidden . I led him upstairs , the keeper folloAving . As AVO got near my room I heard a loud noiso like tho falling of heai-y furniture . Dr . Armstrong remarked to tho man " Sho is at hor old tricks . " Then , turning to me , " Givo me the key

and stand back , or sho may attack you ; I trust she has not done mnch damage . " As the door opened I had a glimpse of tho room , Avhich Avas in a state of extraordinary confusion . With a wild scream tho mad Avoman darted past tho doctor , and in another instant I felt I should have been attacked had not tho keeper caught her arms , and in a feiv seconds , she AA-as secured bj- a shaAvl being tied round her . Her struggles at lirst Avere horrible to Avitness , and I begged them to bo gentle ; it seemed so brutal to use force to a Avoman , though I kneAv ifc could not be helped .

Very quietly the poor creature Avas led doAvnstairs . She seemed utterly exhausted Avhen she reached the hall , and Dr . Armstrong asked for a glass of wine and laid her on the dining-room sofa . Her face looked haggard aud grey . Turning au-ay ho said to me , "I will leai-o hora fow minntes to recover , as her heart is not strong ; I ahvays fear for her life after one of these violent outbreaks . If you do not think I am encroaching too much on yonr kindness , may I ask for a vug and a shaAvl , as our carriage is open , aud in our hurry AVO neglected to bring Avraps . "

Willingly assenting , I Avent to get them , llic scene as I glanced back from tho dining-room door is still very vivid in my mind . There Avas no light except from the lire Avhich I had stirred into ablaze ; tho dinner-table , AVUS just as Ave had left it , a largo silver epergno nnd dessert dishes Avith the glass sparkled in tho firelight , the flowers on the table making a detightf at bit of co ! o \ iv . On the side-board

ivere two old silver tankards Avhich the blaze lit up , the pale face of tho Avoman , and the handsome dark ono of the doctor bending OA-or her , tho Avhole struck mo as AA-orthy of tho brush of one of tho old Flemish painters of interiors . I ran quickly to my room , Avhore I kneAv thero Avere some A \ -arm Avraps , but finding it impossible to got at anything in the confusion I had to turn elseAvhere , and AVBS longer away than I expected .

On getting downstairs I found my guests in the hall , just about leaving . Dr . Armstrong hastily took tho Avraps from mo , saying he feared another outbreak and Avas anxious to get aAvay , adding ns ho stood on tho doorstep " Good night , you will bo glad to bo alono again . Many thanks for your courtesy . ' Then , turning back , hc added , " I have put your ring on tho draAving-rooni table . "

As tho door closed behind them , I could scarcely realize that my strange visitors had really gone . I resumed my seat at the fire , and glancing at tho timepiece Avas surprised to find that scarcely an hour had elapsed since I had sat thoro alone . No moro reading for mo that night . I had plenty now ta occupy my thoughts .

But for my presence of mind sho certainly IVOIIM havo killed me . This led me to think of other occasions Avherein I hnd displayed courage , and I AVIIS A * ery pleased Avith my conduct as I reviewed it , thinking IIOAV feiv Avomen AVOUUI havo shown so much pluck . Evidently my conduct hnd impressed tho doctor , too ; praise is nhvaA's agreeable , particularly from any one who speaks ns " ono in authority . "

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