"I hope there is nothing wrong," said Jacob, as some troublesome
suspicions began turning themselves over in his mind.

"Nothing wrong, as God is my witness!" And Mrs. Allen lifted her
pale face reverently upwards.

"Forgive me, madam; I might have known that," said Jacob. "And now,
if you will give me your orders, they shall be obeyed to the
letter."

"Thank you, my kind friend," returned Mrs. Allen. "The service you
are now about to render me, cannot be estimated in the usual way. To
me, it will be far beyond all price."

She was agitated, and paused to recover herself. Then she resumed,
with her usual calmness of manner--

"Bring the carriage here--driving with as little noise as
possible--in half an hour. Be very discreet. Don't mention the
matter even to your wife. You can talk with her as freely as you
choose on your return from Boston."

"From Boston? Why, that is thirty miles away, at least!"

"I know it, Jacob; but I must be in Boston early to-morrow morning.
You know the road?"

"Every foot of it."

"So much the better. And now go for the carriage."