“She turned upon me, and her penetrating eyes seemed to read my very soul.

“‘How,’ she said, ’can I trust you?  You are a stranger to me.  Worse than that, you are the hired instrument of that monster—­that dealer in flesh and blood.  You bought me and brought me here; and who are your friends?  They too are strangers to me.  Why should I believe in strangers when the one whom I loved, and in whom I placed unquestioning trust, has betrayed me, and sold me to the most dreadful fate?’

“I hung my head.

“‘It chances,’ I replied, humbly, ’that the instruments of vice may sometimes loathe the work they do.  The fearful executioner may, behind his mask, hide the traces of grief and pity.  I do not blame you for your suspicions.  I once had aspirations, perhaps as high, and purity of soul nearly as great as your own.  But what are we?  The creatures of fate; the victims of circumstances.  We look upon the Medusa-head of destiny, with its serpent curls, and our wills, if not our souls, are turned into stone.  God alone, who knows all, can judge the heart of man.  But I am pledged, by ties the most awful, to a society which, however terrible its methods may be, is, in its grand conceptions, charitable and just.  My life would not be worth a day’s purchase if I did not defend you.  One of your friends stands high in that society.’

“‘Which one is that?’ she asked eagerly.

“‘The smaller and darker one,’ I replied.

“‘Can you tell me anything about the other?’ she asked, and a slight blush seemed to mantle her face, as if she were ashamed of the question.

“‘Very little,’ I replied; ’he is not a member of our Brotherhood; but he is a brave man, and the friend of Mr. Maximilian can not be a bad man.’

“‘No,’ she said, thoughtfully; ’he is of a good and noble nature, and it is in him I trust.’

“‘But,’ said I, ’I must leave you, or the Prince will wonder at my long absence.’

“As I took my departure I heard her locking the door behind me.  I reported to the Prince that Miss Washington was quite ill, and confined to her bed, but that she hoped to do herself the honor of calling upon him the next day.  He looked glum, but assented.  Upon leaving him, I called upon Frederika and requested her to come to my room.  In a few moments she appeared.  After seating her I said: 

“’Miss Frederika, will you pardon me if I ask you a few questions upon matters of importance to both of us?’

“‘Certainly,’ she replied.

“‘In the first place,’ I said, ’you regard me as your friend, do you not?  Have I not always shown a disposition to serve you?’

“She replied with some pleasant smiles and assurances of friendship.

“‘Now let me ask you another question,’ I continued.  ’Do you entertain friendly sentiments to Miss Estella?”

“‘Indeed I do,’ she replied; ’she is a sweet-tempered, innocent and gentle girl.’