"Nor did she longer delay the execution of her devices to make me appear insane; but one morning came to the door, and gently tapping, called me by name, entreating to be admitted.
"'Your Ladyship,' I replied, 'has secured the means of entrance at all times: why then demand it of me?'
"'What does he mean?' I heard her say, in a voice of concern, to her maid who accompanied her: 'Henry, dear Henry, I conjure you, open the door!'
"'If you, Madam,' I again answered, 'had intrusted me with the key, I might have complied with your request: but at present would wish to know for what offence I am treated as a prisoner.'
"'Heavens! how wildly he talks!' she continued to her companion; and with greater energy begged and entreated to be admitted: whilst every answer I could return, was by her artifice regarded as a proof of my insanity by her servant; who did not fail to exaggerate what she had heard to her companions; and in a few days it was believed, that I was actually deranged.
"I learned the success of my mother's plan, by my usual channel of intelligence; and for the future resolved to persevere in silence; but it was of no avail; and some months passed, during which it was affirmed that my confinement was from my own choice.
"In the course of this time, I had frequently renewed my search for the will, though without effect; but one day, in examining the contents of a secret drawer, I discovered bank-notes to the value of seven hundred pounds, which I made no scruple of securing; and determined, should an opportunity offer, to leave the Hall, and put myself under the protection of St. Ledger.
"Providence, in this respect proved favourable; for, a few weeks after, I was awakened in the night, by a person moaning at my door: thinking it some new device of my mother, I disregarded it, till I heard the voice of Thomas lamenting the supposed loss of my reason. I then hesitated not a moment, but, springing out of bed, soon convinced him the account he had received of me was false. This worthy servant's joy was unbounded, and he promised to effect my liberation in the course of a week; hinting at the same time, that he suspected his lady participated in the disposition of Sir Horace.
"Thomas kept his word. He soon discovered Mallet was intrusted with the key; he therefore ventured into his room one night, and perceiving him in a sound sleep, took the key from his pocket, lightly stepped to my apartment, and, with an expression of joy in his countenance not to be described, proclaimed me at liberty.
"Little preparation was necessary; and, bidding my faithful old servant farewell, I directed my steps to the Parsonage.