They left the room, and went into the cheerful, little parlor, usually occupied by Mrs. Force, and having her worktable and low chair in the corner between the open wood fire and the side window, with its pleasant view of the lawn and the woods.
Scarcely were they seated, however, when little Elva came in, first gave her hand to the old minister, who drew her toward him and kissed her cheek, and then went to her mother, and said:
"Mamma, Odalite is wide, wide awake now. She has had some tea, and she wants to see you."
"Very well, dear; I will go to her. You will excuse me, Dr. Peters?"
The rector replied with a bow and a smile.
The lady took the hand of the little girl, and they left the room together.
When they reached Odalite's chamber, Mrs. Force was surprised to see her eldest daughter up and dressed, and sitting in the armchair before the fire.
"My darling, I am so glad to see you so well recovered!" exclaimed the lady, pressing a kiss upon the forehead of her child, and then drawing a chair and seating herself by her side.
"Mamma," said Odalite, "I seem to have been in a trance, or a dream, ever since you gave me that composing draught! What was it--opium, hasheesh, amyle--what? And, mother, how much was real and how much was dream that I have passed through? It seems like the phantasmagoria of a midnight orgie--through which only one thing seems to stand out clearly--that I have had 'some outlet through thunder and lightning' into freedom! Mother, is it true? Am I free?"
"Yes, dearest dear, you are free!" replied the lady, in deep emotion.
"Oh, thank Heaven! Thank Heaven! Oh, I feel as if I could never thank Heaven enough!" exclaimed Odalite, convulsively clasping her hands.
There was silence between them for a few moments, and then Odalite, looking all around the room, and finding herself alone with her mother, dropped her voice to the tenderest murmur, and asked:
"But, mamma, sweet mamma, are you free? Are you free from that man's threats and persecutions?"
"Ah, my dear, I do not know! I do not know!" sighed the lady.
"Then, darling mother, if you are not free, I am not. I am your bondsmaid, and I am your hostage to that man for your deliverance from him. I wish to be nothing else, mamma. I do wish to give my whole life, if it be necessary, to secure your peace of mind."