she turned her head away towards the darkness, feeling as if had
been for nothing, and she might as well sink away in her
exhaustion. Mere Perrine was more angry with Nanon than conscious
of her Lady's weakness. 'Woman, you speak as if you knew not the
blow to this family, and to all who hoped for better days. What,
that my Lady, the heiress, who ought to be in a bed of state, with
velvet curtains, lace pillows, gold caudle-cups, should be here in
a vile ruin, among owls and bats, like any beggar, and all for the
sake, not of a young Lord to raise up the family, but of a
miserable little girl! Had I known how it would turn out, I had
never meddled in this mad scheme.'

Before Nanon could express her indignation, Eustacie had turned her
head opened her eyes, and called out, 'Miserable! Oh! what do you
mean? Oh, it is true, Nanon? is it well with her?

'As well as heart could wish,' answered Nanon, cheerily. 'Small,
but a perfect little piece of sugar. There, Lady, she shall speak
for herself.'

And as Nanon laid the babe on the young mother's bosom, the
thrilling touch at once put an end to all the repinings of the
heiress, and awoke far other instincts.

'My child! my little one, my poor little orphan--all cruel to her!
Oh, no welcome even from thy mother! Babe, babe, pardon me, I will
make it up to thee; indeed I will! Oh! let me see her! Do not
take her away, dear good woman, only hold her in the moonlight!'

The full rays of the moon, shining through the gable window,