She turned toward me and I saw a tremulous gleam of pleasure disturb the somber stillness of her face; then the match went out in my hand, and we were again in complete darkness. But the little wail, which at the same instant rose from between her arms, filled up the pause, as her sweet "Hush!" filled my heart. "I am used to the cold," came in another moment from the place where she crouched. "It is the child—she is hungry; and I—I walked here—feeling, hoping that, as my father's heir, I might partake in some slight measure of Uncle Anthony's money. Though my father cast me out before he died, and I have neither home nor money, I do not complain.[Pg 47] I forfeited all when—" another wail, another gentle "hush!"—then silence. [Pg 47] I lit another match. "Look in my face!" I prayed. "I am a stranger, and you would be showing only proper prudence not to trust me. But I overheard your words when you withdrew from the room where your fortune lay; and I honor you, madam. If food can be got for your little one, I will get it." I caught sight of the convulsive clasp with which she drew to her breast the tiny bundle she held, then darkness fell again. "A little bread," she entreated; "a little milk—ah, baby, baby, hush!" "But where can I get it?" I cried. "They are at table inside. I hear them shouting over their good cheer. But perhaps there are neighbors near by; do you know?" "There are no neighbors," she replied. "What is got must be got here. I know a way to the kitchen; I used to visit Uncle Anthony when a little child; if you have the courage—" I laughed. This token of confidence[Pg 48] seemed to reassure her. I heard her move; possibly she stood up. [Pg 48] "In the further corner of this shed," said she, "there used to be a trap, connecting this floor with an underground passage-way. A ladder stood against the trap, and the small cellar at the foot communicated by means of an iron-bound door with the large one under the house. Eighteen years ago the wood of that door was old; now it should be rotten. If you have the strength—" "I will make the effort and see," said I. "But when I am in the cellar, what then?" "Follow the wall to the right; you will come to a stone staircase. As this staircase
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