"Soon after, a stranger called to see Mrs. Leland on business; and Emma withdrew to their little bed-room. She was sitting there, busy with her work; a song, sweet as a bird's carol trembled on her lips, when Mrs. Leland returned.
"'Emma!'
"She turned her head to see her mother's face overspread with the pallor of death. Springing to her side, she said, 'Mother! dear mother! who has dared? what has troubled you? who is this stranger?'
"Her mother pointed to the wedding dress, saying, (as if every word rent her heart-strings,)
"'Emma, you'll never need that! Lionel is arrested for forgery.'
"''Tis false!' Emma would have said, but the words died on her lips, and she fell heavily to the floor.
"One fainting fit succeeded another through that long, dreary night, till life seemed almost suspended. Morning came, and woke the sufferer to consciousness. Passing her hand slowly across her forehead, as if still bewildered, and unable to realize the dreadful change that had passed over her, she said,
"'Mother, I must go to Lionel!'
"'No, no,' said Mrs. Leland, ''tis no place for you, Emma.'
"Covering her face, as if to shut out some dreadful vision, she said, 'I care not where I find him, mother! I must go or die. Would you kill your child?'