"Am I mad that I should cherish that which bears such bitter fruit?
I will pluck it from my bosom though my heart be at its root."
No little commotion was excited when it was discovered that Mrs. Carleton had escaped from her prison. By what means she had effected the escape was a mystery. Every one was ignorant of any circumstance connected with the affair that could afford the least clue to its solution. Even the little wise-acre when questioned answered with her usual indifference, manifesting no interest to obtain any knowledge of her, which rather surprised the other attendants who had observed the apparent attachment between them. She had her conjectures from remarks Mrs. Carleton made that morning coupled with expressions of gratitude for all her kindness to her, which, however, would have left no particular impression if she had not disappeared, but how the flight was accomplished she was equally puzzled to guess. Suspicions finally rested on the carriage as having some connection with the mystery, and Mr. Carleton, upon receiving the information, at once suspected Mr. Livingston, though unable to comprehend by what possible means any communication could have been effected between him and his wife.
