'I'm very glad you have got her, dear.

I wonder whether Austin has gone to his bed yet!' 'I think not.

I am certain he is either in the library or in his private room--papa often reads or prays alone at night, and--and he does not like to be interrupted.' 'No, no; of course not--it will do very well in the morning.' Lady Knollys was thinking deeply, as it seemed to me.
'And so you are afraid of goblins, my dear,' she said at last, with a faded sort of smile, turning toward me; 'well, if _I_ were, I know what _I_ should do--so soon as I, and good Mary Quince here, had got into my bed-chamber for the night, I should stir the fire into a good blaze, and bolt the door--do you see, Mary Quince ?--bolt the door and keep a candle lighted all night.

You'll be very attentive to her, Mary Quince, for I--I don't think she is very strong, and she must not grow nervous: so get to bed early, and don't leave her alone--do you see ?--and--and remember to bolt the door, Mary Quince, and I shall be sending a little Christmas-box to my cousin, and I shan't forget you.

Good-night.' And with a pleasant courtesy Mary fluttered out of the room..