THE sun sank lower; the western breeze floated cool and fresh into the house.

As the evening advanced, the cheerful ring of the village clock came nearer and nearer.

Field and flower-garden felt the influence of the hour, and shed their sweetest fragrance.

The birds in Norah's aviary sunned themselves in the evening stillness, and sang their farewell gratitude to the dying day.
Staggered in its progress for a time only, the pitiless routine of the house went horribly on its daily way.

The panic-stricken servants took their blind refuge in the duties proper to the hour.