Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/241

 "Could I see that room?" asked Madeline.

"Why, the stairs which lead to it are now very bad; but if you wish very much to go to it, I think you may venture some day or other. Poor soul!—it has not been opened I believe since she left it. I never shall forget the manner in which she thanked me as I led her from it; or the tears she shed as she put this little ring upon my finger."

Madeline started up and examined the ring; then, after a moment fastening her fine eyes swimming in tears upon the housekeeper,

"Blessed, for ever blessed, (she exclaimed) be the hand which aided the unhappy!"

"There was such a fuss, (resumed Mrs. Beatrice), when it was known that she had escaped, I was very near being dismissed from the castle; nothing but my youth could have obtained my forgiveness: so in it I con-