Page 599 of 817

Elizabeth jumped out; and after giving each of them a hasty kiss,

hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running

downstairs from her mother's apartment, immediately met her.

Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears

filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether

anything had been heard of the fugitives.

"Not yet," replied Jane. "But now that my dear uncle is come, I

hope everything will be well."

"Is my father in town?"

"Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word."

"And have you heard from him often?"

"We have heard only once. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday,

to say that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his

directions, which I particularly begged him to do. He merely

added, that he should not write again, till he had something of

importance to mention."

"And my mother--how is she? How are you all?"