God bless and reward the kindest, truest, best man I have ever known! "I have no more to say, except to ask you to excuse this long letter, and to believe me your grateful servant, -- --." She signed and inclosed the letter, and wrote the address.

Then, for the first time, an obstacle which she ought to have seen before showed itself, standing straight in her way.
There was no time to forward her letter in the ordinary manner by post.
It must be taken to its destination by a private messenger.

Lady Janet's servants had hitherto been, one and all, at her disposal.

Could she presume to employ them on her own affairs, when she might be dismissed from the house, a disgraced woman, in half an hour's time?
Of the two alternatives it seemed better to take her chance, and present herself at the Refuge without asking leave first.
While she was still considering the question she was startled by a knock at her door.

On opening it she admitted Lady Janet's maid, with a morsel of folded note-paper in her hand.
"From my lady, miss," said the woman, giving her the note.