Say nothing of this relic of last night's work to any one." "Be assured I shall not.

I am far from wishing to keep up in any one's mind proofs of that which I would fain, very fain refute." Mr.Marchdale replaced the portion of the coat which the figure had worn in his pocket, and then the whole three proceeded to the chamber of Flora.
* * * * * It was within a very few minutes of midnight, the moon had climbed high in the heavens, and a night of such brightness and beauty had seldom shown itself for a long period of time.
Flora slept, and in her chamber sat the two brothers and Mr.Marchdale, silently, for she had shown symptoms of restlessness, and they much feared to break the light slumber into which she had fallen.
Occasionally they had conversed in whispers, which could not have the effect of rousing her, for the room, although smaller than the one she had before occupied, was still sufficiently spacious to enable them to get some distance from the bed.
Until the hour of midnight now actually struck, they were silent, and when the last echo of the sounds had died away, a feeling of uneasiness came over them, which prompted some conversation to get rid of it.
"How bright the moon is now," said Henry, in a low tone.
"I never saw it brighter," replied Marchdale.

"I feel as if I were assured that we shall not to-night be interrupted." "It was later than this," said Henry.
"It was--it was." "Do not then yet congratulate us upon no visit." "How still the house is!" remarked George; "it seems to me as if I had never found it so intensely quiet before." "It is very still." "Hush! she moves." Flora moaned in her sleep, and made a slight movement.

The curtains were all drawn closely round the bed to shield her eyes from the bright moonlight which streamed into the room so brilliantly.

They might have closed the shutters of the window, but this they did not like to do, as it would render their watch there of no avail at all, inasmuch as they would not be able to see if any attempt was made by any one to obtain admittance.
A quarter of an hour longer might have thus passed when Mr.Marchdale said in a whisper,-- "A thought has just struck me that the piece of coat I have, which I dragged from the figure last night, wonderfully resembles in colour and appearance the style of dress of the portrait in the room which Flora lately slept in." "I thought of that," said Henry, "when first I saw it; but, to tell the honest truth, I dreaded to suggest any new proof connected with last night's visitation." "Then I ought not to have drawn your attention to it," said Mr.
Marchdale, "and regret I have done so." "Nay, do not blame yourself on such an account," said Henry.