J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 3

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regard to first impressions, did not care to be seen in his post of observation; and closing the door gently, returned to his chair by the fire, and in an under-tone informed his cron

or to the door-for never was retired naval hero of a village more curious than he-were it not that his woo

econd day; and there's no chance of Sir Bale before the tenth; this is a tourist, you'll find. I don't k

lar's elbow, and the two worthies were soon sinc-ducing and catre-acing, with the pleasant clatter that accompanies that ancient game. Hollar had thrown sizes and made his double point, and the honest Captain, who could stand many things better than Hollar's throwing such throws so early in the evening, cursed his opponent's luck and

air, to which a lathy figure, a slight stoop, and a very gentle and even heartbroke

with a furtive glance round, as if he had no right to come

he was pretending to look only at his game; and the Doctor was able to rec

melancholy as h

felt hat, and a pair of shiny leather gaiters or leggings on his thin legs; and a

o those presented by the new-comer. The Baronet, as now described by people who had chanced to see him, was a dark man, not above the middle size, and with a certain decision in his air a

ncountered that of the stranger, who was by this time drinkin

tor, interpreting his look as a permission to

here, sir, and a little fire is no great ha

with a transient wintry smile, a

r, and people come a good way to see i

year

s anoth

aking an effort to keep up a conversation that plainly would not go on of itself;

e Captain humorously, allowing his attention to get entangled in the

le society down here," said the Doctor, not noticing the Captain's joke. "I mean Sir Bale

ther in courtesy to the relator, it seemed, th

uilding that contrasts very well with it-the old house of the Feltrams-quite a

but whether in the tone of acquiescence or int

es down here that has disappeared

Mr. Hollar, who was a

nd amazingly still," observed gentle Mr. P

ptain, thumping the table

; they say there used to be snakes there,"

inal observation. "It should be spelt Snaiks. In the old papers it is

say," said the Doctor, set right thus b

s, though, two of them little better than stumps, are the

uss, and walking up to the stranger, said, "The chais

ietly and took out

had better pa

st, sir," said

him back to Golden Friars-there was real kindness in this welcome-and proffered his broad brown hand, which Mr. Feltram took; and then he plunged into h

s deserted tea-things, the host of the George enlightened his guests by communicating freely the little he had picked up. The principal fact he had to tell was, that Sir Bale adhered strictly to his original plan, and