The lights were out,--all save the lights of heaven; and they came bright and still through the casements.

Moonbeam and Starbeam, they seemed now to have the old house to themselves.

In came the rays, brighter and longer and bolder, like fairies that march, rank upon rank, into their kingdom of solitude.

Down the oak stairs, from the casements, blazoned with heraldry, moved the rays, creepingly, fearfully.

On the armour in the hall clustered the rays boldly and brightly, till the steel shone out like a mirror.