Condensed novels and other papers :: :: University of Virginia Library

Scarcely had the wedding-train left the Grange,
than Alice Sedilia, youngest daughter of Lady Selina,
made her escape from the western tower, owing to
a lack of watchfulness on the part of Clarissa. The
innocent child, freed from restraint, rambled through
the lonely corridors, and finally, opening a door,
found herself in her mother's boudoir. For some
time she amused herself by examining the various
ornaments and elegant trifles with which it was filled.
Then, in pursuance of a childish freak, she dressed
herself in her mother's laces and ribbons. In this
occupation she chanced to touch a peg which proved
to be a spring that opened a secret panel in the wall.
Alice utered a cry of delight as she noticed what, to

her childish fancy, appeared to be the slow-match of
a fire-work. Taking a lucifer match in her hand she
approached the fuse. She hesitated a moment.
What would her mother and her nurse say?

Suddenly the ringing of the chimes of Sloperton
parish church met her ear. Alice knew that the
sound signified that the marriage party had entered
the church, and that she was secure from interruption.
With a childish smile upon her lips, Alice Sedilia
touched off the slow-match.