May she take the baby, Hester ?' The baby was taken, and then the two were alone.

'Do not pack up your things to-day, Hester.' 'Why not ?' 'You are not going to-day.' 'I am going to-day, mamma.' 'That I should seem to be cruel to you,--only seem,--cuts me to the heart.

But you cannot go back to Folking to-day.' 'When am I to go ?' 'Ah, Hester!' 'Tell me what you mean, mamma.

Is it that I am to be a prisoner ?' 'If you would be gentle I would explain it.' 'I will not be gentle.

You mean to keep me,--by violence; but I mean to go; my husband will come.