tions, caring only to stay hunger and get a lodging-place for the night anyhow, with anybody. But I never stole in my life, never did a real wicked thing though I have been the witness of a great many. Something had kept me from it, but then I have sinned in other ways. I have hated the whole world because I was so wretched, and chosen my associates from the vilest classes, because they have shown me hospitality that the respectable would have denied me,—but then such a hospitality! Oh, little do you know, young and unsuspecting as you are, what dens of sin and corruption those are driven to accept who feel that they are the outcasts of society, when a single friendly hand, interposed at the right time, might save them from destruction."
She ceased speaking, being too exhausted to say more, and Walter hastened home to acquaint his mother and Rosalind with this novel and affecting item of his experience. He would have considered the whole relation an effect of her mental aberration, but for the accuracy of the little incident connected with himself. Rosalind went alone to visit her the next day, to see if she would recognize her. She opened her eyes languidly without appearing to notice her at first, but in a few moments she spoke as if talking to herself, "Yes, that is she, the girl with curly hair, but she has grown older since then; now I wonder if the gray cat will come next to make out the picture that has haunted me so. If they should carry me to that big house to die, then it would be complete, but no, I am here a prisoner confronted with my fate, and looking back over the invisible
