Of the house scarcely a glimpse could be caught till you were well within the gates, so thickly was it embosomed in trees.

This afternoon it wore a cheerless face; most of the blinds were still down, and the dwelling might have been unoccupied, for any sign of human activity that the eye could catch.

There was no porch at the main entrance, and the heavy nail-studded door greeted a visitor somewhat sombrely.

On the front of a gable stood the words 'Nisi Dominus.' The vehicle drew up, and there descended a young man of pale countenance, his attire indicating long and hasty travel.

He pulled vigorously at the end of a hanging bell-chain, and the door was immediately opened by a man-servant in black.