From the first glimmer of certainty as to the uncertain facts, she saw with absolute clearness what she must do. There was that in the tone of the letter also, which, while it distressed her more than she was willing to allow, strengthened her determination—especially the way in which he spoke of his mother, for she not only remembered her kindness at Burcliff, but loved the memory of her own mother with her whole bright soul. But what troubled her most of all was that he should be so careless about the wrong he had done, whatever it was. “I must know all about it!” she said to herself, “or how am I to help him?” It seemed to her the most natural thing that when one has done a wrong, he should confess it—thus having done with it, disowning and casting away the cursed thing. But this Cornelius did not seem inclined to do! She was bound to learn the truth of the thing.

By degrees her mind grew calm in settled resolve. Should she tell Miss Dasomma what was in her thoughts? Neither she nor Hester had trusted her with what they knew. Need she trust them? She must take her own way in silence, for they would be certain to oppose it. Could they be trying to keep her and Corney apart?

All the indignant strength and unalterable determination of the little woman rose in arms. She would see who could keep them apart now that she had made up her mind! She had money of her own—and there was the jewellry Corney had given her! It must be valuable, for Corney hated fake things. She would walk her way, work her way, or beg her way if necessary, but nothing would keep her from Corney!

Not a word more concerning their differences passed between her and Miss Dasomma. They talked cheerfully and kissed as usual when parting for the night.

The moment she was in her room, Amy began to pack a small carpetbag. When that was done she made a bundle of her cloak and shawl and then lay down in her clothes. Long before dawn she crept softly down the stairs, and sneaked out.

Thus for the second time she was a fugitive—the first time from, now to.

When Miss Dasomma had been up for some time the next morning, she went up to see why Amy was making no appearance. One glance around the room told her that she was gone. At first she was dreadfully anxious, not suspecting where she had gone, thinking that perhaps the letter which had made her so miserable contained the announcement that their marriage was not a genuine one. If so, then in the dignity of her true heart, she must have at once forever taken her leave of Cornelius.

She wrote to Hester, but the post did not leave before evening, and would not arrive until the afternoon of the next day.