Cruel As The Grave

"Yes, ma'am, and your orders is obeyed, and the rooms is all ready, as

well as yourn and Mr. Berners', even to the kindling of the fires, which

has been burning in the chimneys to air them rooms all this blessed

day," answered Miss Tabby.

"That is right, and I thank you; and now here comes our visitor," said

Sybil, as her guest approached leaning on her husband's arm. They had

certainly lingered a little on the way; but Sybil was too happy to

notice that circumstance now. The jealous wife was for the time subdued

within her, and all the hospitable hostess was in the ascendant.

"You are welcome to Black Hall, my dear Mrs. Blondelle," she said,

advancing to receive her guest. "And now, will you walk into our sitting

parlor and rest awhile before taking off your wraps; or shall I show

you at once to your rooms, which are quite ready for you?"

"At once to my rooms, if you please, Mrs. Berners; for, you see, my poor

little Cromartie is already fast asleep."

"Come, then; you will not have far to go. It is on this floor," said

Sybil, with a smile, as she led the way down the wide hall, past the

great staircase, and then turned to the right and went down a long

passage, until she came to a door, which she opened.

"Here is your bed-chamber," said Sybil, inviting her guest to enter a

large and richly furnished room; "and beyond this, and connected with

it, is another and a smaller apartment, which is properly the

dressing-room, but which I have had fitted up as a nursery for your

child and his nurse."

"Many thanks," replied Rosa Blondelle, as she followed her hostess into

the room, and glanced around with the natural curiosity we all feel in

entering a strange place.

The room was very spacious, and had many doors and windows. Its

furniture was all green, which would have seemed rather gloomy, but for

the bright wood fire on the hearth, that lighted up all the scene with

cheerfulness.

Sybil drew an easy-chair to the chimney corner, and invited her guest to

sit down.

But Rosa was too curious about her surroundings to yield herself

immediately to rest.

"What an interesting old place!" she said, walking about the chamber and

examining every thing.

Meanwhile the nurse-maid, more practical than her mistress, had found

the door of the adjoining nursery and passed into it to put her infant

charge to bed.

"Oh!" exclaimed Rosa, who had drawn aside one of the green moreen window

curtains and was looking out--"Oh! what a wild, beautiful place! But

these windows open right upon the grounds, and there are no outside

shutters! Is there no danger?"

"No danger whatever, my dear Mrs. Blondelle. These windows open at the

back of the house, upon the grounds, which run quite back to the foot of

the mountain. These grounds are very private, being quite

inaccessible, except through the front grounds of the house," said

Sybil, soothingly.