'Then I will proceed to it at once,' said I, taking up my traps and advancing towards her.
"'Do not be alarmed if you hear creaks and cracklings all over the house,' observed the landlord as I departed.

'The windows are loose and the doors ill-fitting.

In such a storm as this they make noise enough to keep an army awake.

The house is safe enough though and if you don't mind noise--' "'O I don't mind noise,' rejoined I, feeling at that moment tired enough to fall into a doze on the staircase.

'I shall sleep, never fear,' and without further ado followed the girl upstairs into a large clumsily furnished room whose enormous bed draped with heavy curtains at once attracted my attention.
"'O I cannot sleep under those things,' remarked I, with a gesture towards the dismal draperies which to me were another name for suffocation.
"With a single arm-sweep she threw them back.