Write the note at once, Eeny, and send Sam back to the village with it." She left the parlour and went down stairs, looking into the dining-room as she passed.

Babette was setting the table already, and silver and cut-glass sparkled in the light of the ruby flame.

Grace went on, up another staircase, hurrying from room to room, seeing that all things were in perfect order.

Fires burned in each apartment, lamps stood on the tables ready to be lit, for neither furnace nor gas was to be found here.

The west suite of rooms spoken of in the letter were the last visited.