صفحة 277 من 1118

At the end of four or five long days, with her patience exhausted

by the bitter railings of her keeper, she sat herself down in a

corner of the chamber, and covering her face with her hands, wept

in bitterness of soul. She experienced an absolute craving for

other faces and other sounds than those of her tormentor; and a

sudden joy imparted itself to her mind, from the reflection, that

it depended only on herself to be restored to the good-will and

attentions of the family. Mingled with this joy, came repentance

for her fault, and a desire to expiate it. She arose, went to a

small table, and taking a pen, wrote to her father, expressing

her penitence and her hope, imploring his pardon, and promising

to do all that might be required of her.

CHAPTER X.