Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
Then suddenly drawing herself back from Norah, with a
passionate gesture of anguish, the unhappy Sophy exclaimed, "Oh!
if you but knew my misery—the darkness here—everywhere; no hope!
no hope!" She threw herself down on her bed, and covered her face
with her hands.
THE CONVICT'S CHILD;
OR,
The Helmet of Hope.
BY
A. L. O. E.
AUTHORESS OF THE CLAREMONT TALES, THE YOUNG PILGRIM,
THE COTTAGE BY THE STREAM, HARRY DANGERFIELD,
GLIMPSES OF THE UNSEEN, ETC. ETC.
GALL & INGLIS.
London: Edinburgh:
30 PATERNOSTER ROW. 6 GEORGE STREET.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
The Convict's Child;
OR,
THE HELMET OF HOPE.
CHAPTER I.
NORAH'S DIFFICULTY.
"ANY one of this name live here?" asked the postman, as he held outa letter to Norah, the little maid-of-all-work, who was on her kneescleaning the door-step on a wintry morning at the close of the year.
"'Miss Peele,' why, that must mean me!" cried the young girl, withnaive surprise. It was the first time in her life that Norah had everreceived a letter, and it was with feelings of wonder and curiositythat she took from the postman the note so strangely addressed toherself. She looked at every part of the envelope, post-mark, address,fancy-wafer and all, to prolong the novel pleasure by guessing whocould have sent it, and what the contents could be.
"It can't be from mother,—she never writes but her name at the bottomof the washing bills; and as for Dan—he's not out of round text. Couldit be from Uncle Ned? It is not like a man's handwriting, and I'm surehe would, never put 'Miss' for a little servant like me. I must justpeep in and see, I was never so curious in all my life!"
Norah wiped her wet cold hands on her apron, and then, taking care tosave the pretty wafer, opened the envelope, and took out the note.She raised her eyebrows with surprise at the first word, "Madam," andalmost burst out laughing at the notion of being thus addressed; butNorah's mirth changed to grave perplexity, as she turned hastily overto the signature at the end.
"'E. Cupper, Matron of the B— Workhouse.' It must be some mistake,—Iam sure there is some mistake—this letter can never be meant for me."Norah examined the envelope again, but t