Overpowered by a sudden dismay that took entire possession of me, I sank into one of the deep fauteuils that extended its arms very opportunely to receive me, and sat mutely for a moment, while anguish unutterable, and conjecture too wild to be hazarded in speech, were surging through my brain.

“I am too weak, I suppose, to open these shutters,” I said at last, feebly.  “Be good enough to do it for me, Mrs. Clayton, or cause it to be done immediately.”

Was it not strange that up to this very moment no suspicion had clouded my horizon since I woke in that sumptuous room?

“I cannot transcend my orders by doing any thing of the kind,” she said quietly, yet resolutely, as she pursued her avocation, that of dusting with a bunch of colored plumes the delicate ornaments of the etagere carefully one by one.

“Your authority!  Who has dared to delegate to you what has no existence as far as I am concerned?” I asked indignantly.  “I will go instantly.”

“You cannot leave this chamber until you receive outside permission,” she interrupted, firmly planting herself at once between me and the door through which I had seen her enter.  “You must not think to pass through my chamber, Miss Miriam.  It is locked without, and there is no other outlet.”

“Woman!” I said, grasping her feebly yet fiercely, by the arm.  “Look at me!  Raise those feline eyes to mine, if you dare, and answer me truthfully:  What means this mockery!  Why have you been forced on me at all?  Where is Captain Van Dorne?  What becomes of his promises?  What house is this in which I find myself a prisoner?  Speak!”

“You can do nothing to make me angry,” she rejoined, calmly.  “I know your condition, and pity and respect it, but I shall certainly fulfill my part of this undertaking.  Captain Van Dorne recognized you as Miss Monfort by the description in the newspaper, as did my mistress, and for your own welfare we determined to secure you and keep you safe until the return of Mr. Bainrothe and your sisters from Europe.  They will be here shortly, and all you have to do is to be patient and behave as well as you can until the time comes for your trial;” and she cast on me a menacing look from her green and quivering pupils, indescribably feline.

My trial!  Great Heaven! did they mean to turn the tables, then, and destroy me by anticipating my evidence?  I staggered to a chair and again sat down silent confounded.  “Where am I, then!” I feebly asked at length.

“In the establishment of Dr. Englehart,” she made answer, “a private madhouse.”