Device, which, like my ruthless husband, I looked upon as an artifice to save the infant’s life, I now find to be the truth.  Her child perished instead of mine.  How or why she exchanged the infants on that night remains to be explained, but that she did so is certain; while that she should afterwards conceal the circumstance is easily comprehended, from a natural dread of her own husband as well as of mine.  It is possible that from some cause she may still deny the truth, but I can make it her interest to speak plainly.  The main difficulty will lie in my public acknowledgment of you.  But, at whatever cost, it shall be made.”

“Oh! consider it well;” said Alizon, “I will be your daughter in love—­in duty—­in all but name.  But sully not my poor father’s honour, which even at the peril of his soul he sought to maintain!  How can I be owned as your daughter without involving the discovery of this tragic history?”

“You are right, Alizon,” rejoined Mistress Nutter, thoughtfully.  “It will bring the dark deed to light.  But you shall never return to Elizabeth Device.  You shall go with me to Rough Lee, and take up your abode in the house where I was once so wretched—­but where I shall now be full of happiness with you.  You shall see the dark spots on the hearth, which I took to be your blood.”

“If not mine, it was blood spilt by my father,” said Alizon, with a shudder.

Was it fancy, or did a low groan break upon her ear?  It must be imaginary, for Mistress Nutter seemed unconscious of the dismal sound.  It was now growing rapidly dark, and the more distant objects in the room were wrapped in obscurity; but Alizon’s gaze rested on the two monkish figures supporting the wardrobe.

“Look there, mother,” she said to Mistress Nutter.

“Where?” cried the lady, turning round quickly, “Ah!  I see.  You alarm yourself needlessly, my child.  Those are only carved figures of two brethren of the Abbey.  They are said, I know not with what truth—­to be statues of John Paslew and Borlace Alvetham.”

“I thought they stirred,” said Alizon.

“It was mere fancy,” replied Mistress Nutter.  “Calm yourself, sweet child.  Let us think of other things—­of our newly discovered relationship.  Henceforth, to me you are Millicent Nutter; though to others you must still be Alizon Device.  My sweet Millicent,” she cried, embracing her again and again.  “Ah, little—­little did I think to see you more!”

Alizon’s fears were speedily chased away.

“Forgive me, dear mother,” she cried, “if I have failed to express the full delight I experience in my restitution to you.  The shock of your sad tale at first deadened my joy, while the suddenness of the information respecting myself so overwhelmed me, that like one chancing upon a hidden treasure, and gazing at it confounded, I was unable to credit my own good fortune.  Even now I am quite bewildered; and no wonder, for many thoughts,