She sat absorbed in thought for some time; then, with an air of decision, continued:
“Yes, I believe I will go at once to Boston, without saying a word to any one, and put myself under their protection. Ah, I feel like a new creature, now that I know that friends and help are near!”
Her appetite seemed to return to her, in view of this solution of her difficulties, and, after eating a hearty meal, she was almost gay as she arose from the table and ran up-stairs to prepare for her journey.
She thought it would hardly be kind to leave the house without some explanation to Mrs. Hubbard, who had invariably been very good to her; therefore, she would tell her that she was going to New York, and might not be back that day. This would give her time to get well on her way to Boston without the fear of being detained by the authority of her guardian.
She knew, of course, that considerable excitement would ensue upon the discovery of her disappearance, but this did not trouble her, for, once she was safe under Mr. Manning’s protection, she intended to utterly repudiate Mr. Hubbard’s guardianship and appeal to the court to appoint her cousin’s husband in his place.
She packed her valuables and some necessary clothing in a portmanteau, thinking that she could easily have her trunks expressed to her later.
She was careful, however, to take along with her the box which contained the proofs that she was not Adam Brewster’s child; for, although it had brought her only sorrow, it might become important to her in the future.
But a sudden thought came to her as she was about to pack it with her other things; and, reopening it, she took out the little golden key which had so excited her curiosity when she had previously examined it.
“I will always wear it, after this. I will play that it is my mascot, and perhaps it will bring me good luck,” she said to herself, with a queer little smile.