Help me to escape--my friends in
Now York are rich and powerful--help me, Susan Sharpe, and you will
never know want more!"
Mrs. Susan Sharpe had keen ears. Even in the midst of this excited
address she had heard a stealthy footstep on the creaking stairs--a
footstep that had paused just outside the door. She took her cue, and
made no sign.
"I'm very sorry, miss," slightly raising her voice--"very sorry for you,
indeed. What you say may be all very true, but it makes no difference to
me. My duty's plain enough. I'm paid for it, I've promised to do it, and
I'll do it."
"And that is--"
"To wait upon you. I'll be your faithful attendant while I'm here; but
to help you to escape I can't. Doctor Oleander tells me you're insane;
you tell me yourself you're not insane. I suppose you ought to know
best; but I've been in lunatic asylums before now, and I never yet knew
one of 'em to admit there was anything the matter with 'em."
And with this cruel speech, Mrs. Susan Sharpe, keeping her eyes anywhere
but upon the young lady's face, lifted the tray and turned to go.
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