The wonderful voice went on. I paused, with hands outstretched.

Supposing I bumped into something! I took a step forward, another and

another; I swung my crop in a half-circle; all was vacancy, I took

another step, this time in the direction of the voice--and started back

with a smothered curse. Bang-ang! I had run into a suit of old armor,

the shield of which had clattered to the stone floor. As I have

observed, I am not a coward, but I had all I could do to keep my

legs--which were stirrup-weary, anyhow--from knocking under me!

Silence!

The song died. All over that great rambling structure not even the

reassuring chirp of a cricket! I stood perfectly still. What the

deuce should I do? Turn back? As I formed this question in my mind a

draft of wind slammed the door shut. I was in for it, sure enough; I

was positive that I could never find that door again. There was

nothing to do but wait, and wait with straining ears. Here were

mysterious inhabitants.--they might be revolutionists, conspirators,

counterfeiters.

Heaven knows how long I waited.

Soon I heard a laugh, light, infectious, fearless! Then I heard a

voice, soft and pleading.

"Don't go; in mercy's name, don't go, Gretchen! You may be killed!"

English! I had actually heard a voice speak my native tongue.

"Nonsense, Betty! I am not afraid of any ghost that ever walked, rode

or floated."

"Ghost? It may be a burglar!"

"Or Steinbock! We shall find nothing."

Indeed!

"Nothing but a rat, bungling about in the armor." The laughter came

again. "You are not _afraid_, Betty?"

"Only cautious. But how can you laugh? A rat?" cried a voice rather

anxiously. "Why, they are as big as dogs!"

"But arrant cowards."

So! one of these voices spoke English as its birthright; the other

spoke with an accent, that is to say, by adoption. Into what had I

fallen? Whither had my hunger brought me? I was soon to learn.

There came a faint thread of light on one side of the hall, such as may

be likened to that which filters under a door-sill. Presently this was

followed by the sound of jangling brass rings. A heavy velvet

portière--which I, being in darkness, had not discovered--slipped back.

My glance, rather blinded, was first directed toward the flame of the

candle. Then I lowered it--and surrendered for ever and for ever!

I beheld two faces in profile, as it were, one side in darkness, the

other tinted and glowing like ancient ivory. I honestly confess to you

that in all my wanderings--and they have been frequent and many--I

never saw such an enchanting picture or two more exquisite faces. One

peered forth with hesitant bravery; the other--she who held the

candle--with cold, tranquil inquiry.




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