You--you want to ruin me!" From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with high hedges behind the maid, and Mr.Burke and Louise blocking the path in front, there was little chance of escape.

But she looked around wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and gently took Eliza's hand in her own.
"Mr.Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in her sweet, sympathetic tones.

"He shall not bother you if you are afraid of him." "I--I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and a toss of her head.
The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood.
"Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr.Burke ?" she asked, with a smile.

"Eliza and I are going to my room.

Come, my dear," and without waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in her own, along the path.
Eliza came willingly.