treatment the most inhuman.  But a proposal was made by my husband, that promised some alleviation of my suffering.  Henceforth we were to meet only in public, when a semblance of affection was to be maintained on both sides.  This was done, he said, to save my character, and preserve his own name unspotted in the eyes of others, however tarnished it might be in his own.  I willingly consented to the arrangement; and thus for a brief space I became tranquil, if not happy.  But another and severer trial awaited me.”

“Alas, madam!” exclaimed Alizon, sympathisingly.

“My cup of sorrow, I thought, was full,” pursued Mistress Nutter; “but the drop was wanting to make it overflow.  It came soon enough.  Amidst my griefs I expected to be a mother, and with that thought how many fond and cheering anticipations mingled!  In my child I hoped to find a balm for my woes:  in its smiles and innocent endearments a compensation for the harshness and injustice I had experienced.  How little did I foresee that it was to be a new instrument of torture to me; and that I should be cruelly robbed of the only blessing ever vouchsafed me!”

“Did the child die, madam?” asked Alizon.

“You shall hear,” replied Mistress Nutter.  “A daughter was born to me.  I was made happy by its birth.  A new existence, bright and unclouded, seemed dawning upon me; but it was like a sunburst on a stormy day.  Some two months before this event Elizabeth Device had given birth to a daughter, and she now took my child under her fostering care; for weakness prevented me from affording it the support it is a mother’s blessed privilege to bestow.  She seemed as fond of it as myself; and never was babe more calculated to win love than my little Millicent.  Oh! how shall I go on?  The retrospect I am compelled to take is frightful, but I cannot shun it.  The foul and false suspicions entertained by my husband began to settle on the child.  He would not believe it to be his own.  With violent oaths and threats he first announced his odious suspicions to Elizabeth Device, and she, full of terror, communicated them to me.  The tidings filled me with inexpressible alarm; for I knew, if the dread idea had once taken possession of him, it would never be removed, while what he threatened would be executed.  I would have fled at once with my poor babe if I had known where to go; but I had no place of shelter.  It would be in vain to seek refuge with my father; and I had no other relative or friend whom I could trust.  Where then should I fly?  At last I bethought me of a retreat, and arranged a plan of escape with Elizabeth Device.  Vain were my precautions.  On that very night, I was startled from slumber by a sudden cry from the nurse, who was seated by the fire, with the child on her knees.  It was long past midnight, and all the household were at rest.  Two persons had entered the room.  One was my ruthless husband, Richard Nutter; the other was John Device, a powerful ruffianly fellow, who planted himself near the door.