As to the gentlemen, I must ask them to remain here with me, and try to sleep in the arm-chairs before the fire.

I pray you, ladies, do not allow yourselves to be startled by the waving of the tapestry-which is only due to the strong draughts about the room on a stormy night like this--the moaning of the wind in the chimney, or the wild scurrying and squeaking of the mice behind the wainscot.

I can guarantee that no ghosts will disturb you here, though this place does look dreary and dismal enough to be haunted." "I am not a bit of a coward," answered Serafina laughingly, "and will do my best to reassure this timid little Isabelle.

As to our duenna,--she is something of a sorceress herself, and if the devil in person should make his appearance he would meet his match in her." The baron then took a light in his hand and showed the three ladies the way into the bed-chamber, which certainly did strike them rather unpleasantly at first sight, and looked very eerie in the dim, flickering light of the one small lamp.
"What a capital scene it would make for the fifth act of a tragedy," said Serafina, as she looked curiously about her, while poor little Isabelle shivered with cold and terror.

They all crept into bed without undressing, Isabelle begging to lie between Serafina and Mme.