The surprise occasioned by that incident was in no way lessened on seeing a carriage drive in through the gateway, and two ladies alight therefrom and enter the house.

Both were in mourning.

I did not see their faces; but, judging from the dress and figure of each, it was evident that one was past the meridian of life, and the other young.

Still more to my surprise, the carriage was not built after our New England fashion, but looked heavy, and of a somewhat ancient date.

It was large and high, with a single seat for the driver perched away up in the air, and a footman's stand and hangings behind.