of exultation: " Well, you see I was right,
ma'am!"

She walked as nearly round the castle as ever
she could, looking up at the few high-barred
windows she could see, and wondering in what
part of the building Dixon was confined. Then
she went into the adjoining churchyard, and
sitting down upon a tombstone, she gazed idly
at the view spread below her—a view which
was considered as the lion of the place, to be
shown to all strangers by the inhabitants of
Hellingford. Ellinor did not see it, however.
She only saw the blackness of that fatal night.
The hurried work—the lanterns glancing to and
fro. She only heard the hard breathing of those
who are engaged upon unwonted labour; the
few hoarse muttered words; the swaying of the
branches to and fro. All at once the church
clock above her struck eight, and then pealed
out for distant labourers to cease their work
for a time; such was the old custom of the
place. Ellinor rose up, and made her way
back to Mr. Johnson's house in High-street.
The room felt close and confined in which
she awaited her interview with Mr. Johnson,
who had sent down an apology for having
overslept himself, and at last made his
appearance in a hurried, half-awakened state, in
consequence of his late hospitality of the night
before.

"I am so sorry I gave you all so much trouble
last night," said Ellinor, apologetically. "I
was over-tired, and much shocked by the news
I heard."

"No trouble, no trouble, I am sure. Neither
Mrs. Johnson nor I felt it in the least a trouble.
Many ladies, I know, feel such things very trying,
though there are others that can stand a
judge's putting on the black cap better than
most men. I'm sure I saw some as composed
as could be under Judge Corbet's speech."

"But, about Dixon? He must not die, Mr.
Johnson."

"Well, I don't know that he will," said Mr.
Johnson, in something of the tone of voice he
would have used in soothing a child. "Judge
Corbet said something about the possibility of a
pardon. The jury did not recommend him to
mercy; you see, his looks went so much against
him, and all the evidence was so strong, and no
defence, so to speak, for he would not furnish
any information on which we could base
defence. But the judge did give some hope,
to my mind, though there are others that think
differently."

"I tell you, Mr. Johnson, he must not die,
and he shall not. To whom must I go?"

"Whew! Have you got additional evidence?"
with a sudden sharp glance of professional
inquiry.

"Never mind," Ellinor answered. "I beg
your pardon . . . . only tell me into whose
hands the power of life and death have
passed."

"Into the Home Secretary's—Sir Philip
Homes; but you cannot get access to him on
such an errand. It is the judge who tried
the case that must urge a reprieve—Judge
Corbet."

"Judge Corbet?"

"Yes; and he was rather inclined to take a
merciful view of the whole case. I saw it in
his charge. He'll be the person for you to see.
I suppose you don't like to give me your
confidence, or else I could arrange and draw up
what will have to be said?"

"No. What I have to say must be spoken
to the arbiter—to no one else. I am afraid I
answered you impatiently just now. You must
forgive me; if you knew all, I am sure you
would."

"Say no more, my dear lady. We will suppose
you have some evidence not adduced at the
trial. Well; you must go up and see the judge,
since you don't choose to impart it to any one,
and lay it before him. He will, doubtless,
compare it with his notes of the trial, and see how
far it agrees with them. Of course you must
be prepared with some kind of proof; for Judge
Corbet will have to test your evidence."

"It seems strange to think of him as the
judge," said Ellinor, almost to herself.

"Why, yes. He's but a young judge. You
knew him at Hamley, I suppose? I remember
his reading there with Mr. Ness."

"Yes. But do not let us talk more about that
time. Tell me, when can I see Dixon? I have
been to the castle already, but they said I must
have a sheriff's order."

"To be sure. I desired Mrs. Johnson to tell
you so last night. Old Ormerod was dining here;
he is clerk to the magistrates, and I told him of
your wish. He said he would see Sir Henry
Croper, and have the order here before ten.
But all this time Mrs. Johnson is waiting breakfast
for us. Let me take you into the dining-
room."

It was very hard work for Ellinor to do her
duty as a guest, and to allow herself to be
interested and talked to on local affairs by her host
and hostess. But she felt as if she had spoken,
shortly and abruptly to Mr. Johnson in their
previous conversation, and that she must try and
make amends for it; so she attended to all the
details about the restoration of the church, and
the difficulty of getting a good music-master for
the three little Miss Johnsons, with all her usual
gentle good breeding and patience, though no
one can tell how her heart and imagination were
full of the coming interview with poor old
Dixon.

By-and-by Mr. Johnson was called out of the
room to see Mr. Ormerod, and receive the order
of admission from him. Ellinor clasped her
hands tight together as she listened with apparent
composure to Mrs. Johnson's never-ending
praise of the Tonic Sol-fa system. But, when
Mr. Johnson returned, she could not help
interrupting her eulogy, and saying,

"Then, I may go now?"

"Yes; the order was there—she might go,
and Mr. Johnson would accompany her, to see
that she met with no difficulty or obstacle.

As they walked thither, he told her that some