Why did you come, if you had nothing to tell me about it ?" "How could I stay away when you were in trouble?
Have you searched everywhere ?" "Everywhere I can think of." "Would you like me to help you look?
I feel certain it will be found." "No, thank you.

I am sick of looking." "Shall I go, then ?--What would you like me to do ?" "Go to your room, and wait till I send for you." "I must not be long away from my invalids," said Mary, as cheerfully as she could.
"Oh, indeed! I thought you had come back to your work!" "I did not understand from your letter you wished that, ma'am--though, indeed, I could not have come just yet in any case." "Then you mean to go, and leave things just as they are ?" "I am afraid there is no help for it.

If I could do anything-.

But I will call again to-morrow, and every day till the ring is found, if you like." "Thank you," said Hesper, dryly; "I don't think that would be of much use." "I will call anyhow," returned Mary, "and inquire whether you would like to see me .-- I will go to my room now, and while I wait will get some things I want." "As you please," said Hesper.
Scarcely was Mary in her room, however, when she heard the door, which had the trick of falling-to of itself, closed and locked, and knew that she was a prisoner.

For one moment a frenzy of anger overcame her; the next, she remembered where her life was hid, knew that nothing could touch her, and was calm.