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54 obliged to perform the task. "Quick!" whispered she, and rapidly they threaded the deserted rooms. "You can throw off your cumbersome disguise here," said Lucy, though the words could scarcely be distinguished, from her excessive agitation, Evelyn hastily caught up a cloak and cap laid ready for him, and a few minutes brought them into the sitting-room. "This window opens on the garden—go straight along yon shadowy walk—the mound at its end will enable you to mount the wall—you can spring down, and then your path lies direct to the forest. Oh, make haste—God bless you!"

He clasped her tenderly to his heart, and was gone. She watched him through the walk, for there was just a faint light that outlined his figure on the still dusky air. Almost before she drew her suspended breath, he was lost among the trees. She raised her hands with a mute gesture of gratitude to Heaven, and sank on the window seat.