Harry took in the new arrival’s supper with her own hands.  It was the time when she would otherwise have been expected in the bar parlor, to sit by Solomon’s side, and feel his arm creep round her waist, more hateful than a serpent’s fold.  A fire had been lit in the sitting-room, on account of the inclement weather, and Mrs. Gilbert was standing beside it with her elbow on the mantel-piece.  She watched Harry come in and out, without a word, but the expression of her face was so searching and attentive that it embarrassed her.  Under other circumstances she would certainly have delegated her duties to Hannah, but to evade Solomon’s society she would have waited on the Sphinx.  She brought in each article one at a time, and when there was nothing more to bring inquired deferentially whether there was any thing else that she could do for the lady.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Gilbert, gravely; the voice was soft, but the manner most earnest and impressive.  “I want five minutes’ talk with you; can I have it secure from interruption?”

“Certainly, madam,” answered Harry, trembling, she knew not why.

“Close the door, girl.  Come nearer, and away from the window; we must not be overheard.”

Harry was constitutionally timid, and it struck her that this poor lady was not in her right mind.  She hesitated.  The other seemed to read her thoughts.

“I am not mad, child,” said she, sorrowfully, “though I have trouble enough to make me so.  You are the daughter of the landlord of this inn, I think?”

“Yes, madam.”

“And I am the mother of Richard Yorke.”

She was standing in the same position, and had spoken coldly and as sternly as such a voice as hers could speak, when something in the young girl’s face caused her whole manner to change.  With a sudden impulse she turned toward her, and held out both her arms; and Harry threw herself into them with a passionate cry, and sobbed as though her heart would break.

“Hush! hush!” whispered the other, tenderly; “we must not weep now, but act!”

But the girl still sobbed on, without lifting up her face.  Tears had been strangers to her heated eyes for days, and she had longed in vain for one sympathizing breast on which to lay her head.  “I have been his ruin,” she murmured; “but for me he would never have done wrong.  How you, who are his mother, must hate me!”

“No, Harry, no!” answered the other, putting aside those rich brown locks, and gazing upon the fair shut face attentively.  “I do not wonder at his loving you; for such beauty as yours many a man would lose his soul!  I did hate you until now.  But you love my Richard truly, as I see; and we two can not afford to be enemies.  We must work together for his good to avert the ruin of which you speak, for it is imminent.  He has sent me to you, for he can not come himself.  He is in prison, Harry!”

“In prison!  O Heaven, have mercy!”