After remaining for some length of time in a state of attempted repose, her mind, the while, completely absorbed in contemplating her own situation, she finally concluded to go out into the other apartment, and make another effort there, to find the entrance, if such there was, to her own room.

She had not been thus employed long, when a knocking at the outer door attracted her attention.  She listened a moment, and then, supposing it to be Duffel, was about to retire to the inner cavity and bar him out; but just as she started to put this resolve in execution, her steps were arrested by hearing her own name called in a voice not like Duffel’s.  She instantly paused, and the call was repeated: 

“Miss Mandeville!  If you are present and hear me, please step to this door and look into the keyhole.  It is a friend, who will aid you, that is now addressing you.”

With a beating heart, she quickly reached the door, and from the place designated drew a small, compact roll of paper.  On it were traced some lines by one who was evidently a highly accomplished penman.  She hastened to examine the purport of the billet, which read as follows: 

“Your appeal to us for assistance was not made in vain.  We are fully satisfied of Duffel’s wicked and base intentions toward us, and are resolved to thwart them.  You shall be brought out of this den, and behold again the sunlight of heaven.  By the day after to-morrow we will have our arrangements completed, when you may expect to hear from us again.  Hold yourself in readiness to leave this place at any moment.  Is this satisfactory to you, fair lady?”

There was no name to this; but it needed none to tell Eveline from whom it came.  She knew it was from Duffel’s accomplices, and rejoicing in the success of her plan, she replied to the inquiry at the close with alacrity: 

“Yes, my good friends, this is eminently satisfactory.  May God bless you, as you help me.”

“Thank you for the confidence you place in us! we will endeavor to reward your expectations by delivering you from this dismal prison, at the very earliest moment possible.  Will you now be so good as to burn the little strip of paper, lest by some unfortunate accident it might betray us to our mutual enemy, and thereby frustrate our plans?”

“Yes, sir, I will burn it immediately.”

“Thank you.  Keep up your courage, and be of good cheer.”

“Accept my warmest gratitude for your generous aid, gentlemen; and be assured you shall not go unrewarded for the great service you render me.”

“We ask no pay.  The service you speak of will be most cheerfully and gladly rendered; and in your enlargement and the defeat of Duffel, we shall be more than a thousand times rewarded for the small efforts we shall be compelled to put forth in your behalf.  And now adieu!”

“Adieu, gentlemen, and may Heaven bless you, in your efforts on my behalf.”