Contents.

CHAPTER I. LITTLE AGNES. Page The cross baby brother—The patient sister—The novel-reading mamma—The broken work-box—Undeserved punishment—The lock of papa’s hair—Old Mammy—The cold north room—“Never alone”—Aunt Wharton—Lewie sick—A pleasant change for the little prisoner

CHAPTER II. BROOK FARM. Bridget’s rage—Mammy’s story—The runaway match—The dead father—The cheerful home at Brook Farm—Cousin Emily—The ice palace—Christmas secrets—The mother’s agony—Life from the dead

CHAPTER III. CHRISTMAS TIME. Preparations for Christmas—The needle-book—Santa Claus himself expected -Old Cousin Betty—Loads of presents—Christmas Eve—Appearance of Santa Claus—“Who can he be?”—Cousin Tom—Poor Emily’s grief

CHAPTER IV. COUSIN BETTY. Cousin Betty—Absence of mind and body—A habit of dying—The shadow on the wall—Cousin Betty’s ride on Prancer—Training day—Cousin Betty a captain of militia—Cousin Betty’s stories

CHAPTER V. HOME AGAIN. Agnes and Mr. Wharton on their way to the Hemlocks—The novel-reading mamma again—Lewie better—Agnes must stay—A lay sermon to Mrs. Elwyn—The needle-case—The bitter disappointment

CHAPTER VI. THE TABLEAUX. Lewie roving the woods and fields again—Capricious and fretful still—The birth-day party at Mr. Wharton’s—Preparations for tableaux—Another disappointment for Agnes—The sweetest tableaux of all

CHAPTER VII. THE GOVERNESS. The lady who came for wool—The home in New-England—Midnight studies—Miss Edwards engaged as governess—A universal genius—A letter from the long-lost brother—The journey—The old Virginia church—The ghost no ghost at all—The old log-house—Horrible murder!—of pigs

CHAPTER VIII. BITTER DISAPPOINTMENTS. No news from Miss Edwards—The letter from the strange physician—The manuscript—The brother found, and where—The engagement—Desertion—The country house—The “crazy room”—The Eastern Asylum—Rest at last in the quiet nook

CHAPTER IX. EMILY’S TRIALS. Lewie’s education—Mr. Malcolm tutor at the Hemlocks—Frequent calls at Brook Farm—Emily’s sufferings—The disclosure—Strength for time of trial

CHAPTER X. THE TUTOR AND THE PUPIL. Lewie’s insubordination—Passion and tears—The mother’s anxiety—Mr. Malcolm’s firmness—No dinner for Lewie—Sulking—Brought to terms at last—The tutor dismissed

CHAPTER XI. RUTH GLENN. Leaving for boarding-school—Mrs. Arlington and her daughters—The third story room—The new strange girl—Nocturnal disturbances—Ruth Glenn’s expostulations—Imminent danger—The physician consulted—Morning walks—Sad partings

CHAPTER XII. LEWIE AT SCHOOL. The dictator in the play-ground—Strife and contention—The tormentor—Lewie’s mortification—The sore spot—The attack upon Colton—The removal from school—Mrs. Elwyn’s failing health—Agnes summoned—A death bed—Changes proposed to Agnes—Her departure for Wilston

CHAPTER XIII. NEW SCENES FOR AGNES. The two Miss Fairlands—The step-mother—Arrival at Wilston—Unpromising pupils—Poor Tiney—Dreadful scene at the tea-table—Tiney’s suffering—The effect of music

CHAPTER XIV. THE SCHOOL IN THE WEST WING. A hard task—The children’s toilettes—Bible teachings—Practical applications—Sunday at Mr. Fairland’s—The children’s singing—The father’s tears—A visit to Brook Farm—A visit from Lewie

CHAPTER XV. THE STRANGERS IN THE ROOKERY. An arrival—The Rookery—Mrs. Danby and Bella—A sudden accident—The rescue—The strangers—An old friend—A row on the lake—Music on the water—Shrieking in the house—A new method of laying spirits—Mortifying disclosures by Frank

CHAPTER XVI. DEATH AND THE FUGITIVE. Music on the lawn—The midnight interview—The horrid truth disclosed—Lewie a fugitive from justice—Jealousy of Calista and Evelina—Poor Tiney’s death bed—The search—The arrest

CHAPTER XVII. THE JAIL. Return to Brook Farm—The visit to the jail—The involuntary and the voluntary prisoner—A talk about the future—Mr. Malcolm’s visits—The lawyer—The evening before the trial

CHAPTER XVIII. THE TRIAL. The Court-room—Mr. W.—The testimony—Speeches—Mr. G.’s agitation—Charge to the jury

CHAPTER XIX. THE SEALED PAPER. A night of fearful suspense—The verdict—Insensibility—Delirium—Meeting between the brother and sister—Lewie’s illness—Longings for freedom—A journey to the capital—Ruth Glenn again—The governor—A sister’s pleadings—Her reward

CHAPTER XX. TWICE FREE. Freedom for the captive—Removal to Brook Farm—Decline—Changes of temper and heart—A final release—The quiet nook—Resignation —Cheerfulness—The unexpected visitor

CHAPTER XXI. THE WINDING UP. Repairs at the Rookery—Calista and Evelina on the qui vive—Mr. Harrington and his bride—Another Christmas gathering—Farewell, and kind wishes