"
She was agitated, and paused to recover herself. Then she resumed,
with her usual calmness of manner--
"Bring the carriage here--driving with as little noise as
possible--in half an hour. Be very discreet. Don't mention the
matter even to your wife. You can talk with her as freely as you
choose on your return from Boston."
"From Boston? Why, that is thirty miles away, at least!"
"I know it, Jacob; but I must be in Boston early to-morrow morning.
You know the road?"
"Every foot of it."
"So much the better. And now go for the carriage."
Jacob Perkins arose. As he was turning to go, Mrs. Allen placed her
hand upon his shoulder, and said--
"I can trust you, Mr. Perkins?"
"Madam, you can," was his reply; and he passed from the quiet house
into the darkness without. The night was moonless, but the stars
shone down from an unclouded sky. When Jacob Perkins found himself
alone, and began to look this adventure full in the face, some
unpleasant doubts touching the part he was about to play, intruded
themselves upon his thoughts. He had seen the handsome stranger
going daily to visit Mrs.
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