The Haunted Chamber

is then proceeding to go forward and greet her host, "where have you been? We have missed you so much. Flore

change in the game. He is married; has a large family of promising young Lisles, and a fervent passion for tenn

cored a grand victory, and all the players declare themselves thoroughly exhausted and in need of refreshment, Sir Adrian

"why not come and visit it now? It isn't much to see, you know

favorite method of showing false emotion of any kind. She is determined to have her part in

, coming up to Miss Delmaine, and specially add

ng lady standing by; and

od, confidentially, to Ethel Villiers. "It's an awful lot of stairs; I

ds Miss Ethel saucily, glancing

in, with a little grin. "But

u needn't come, you know; I dare say I shall be a

rather gloomily. To himself he confesses moodily that this girl with the auburn hair

den in this secret chamber, and so don't ca

at deal more afraid of," respond

d speech! Now I know you look upon me in the light of an ogress, or a witch, or something equally dreadful. Well, as

ie!'" After which quotation he accompanies her toward the house in the wake of

etermined to ignore the fact that he is thoroughly unwelcome to his companio

ries, along more corridors they go, laughing and talking eagerly, until

es thickly, they come at last to a small iron

an encouragingly, turning, as he always does, when opp

Ethel Villiers, with a smothered la

flight of stone steps that leads upward to another door

ffecting nervousness, clings closely to Sir Adrian's arm. Indeed she is debating in her own mind whether it would be effective or otherwi

m whatever mysteries may lie beyond. He enters first, and they all follow him, but, as if suddenly recollect

the door slammed to, we should find it impossible to open it from the inside, a

ul!" cries Dora falteringly. "Our ve

my duty," says Captain Ringwood, planting his back ag

ained a glimpse of the sky, but of nothing else. These apertures are just large enough to admit a man's hand. Th

ood to Sir Adrian. "They won't believe it is veritably

ish to hear any ghost stories, so Sir Adrian laug

house?" asks Florence at length, who has

trate the distance," replies Sir Adrian. "You are as thoroughly removed

observes Dora, wi

daylight," Sir Adrian goes on. "You can see how the dust of years is on it. One

his words come back to his listeners' memories

removed," says Captain Ringwood. "It is a r

etic

ed," responds Florence, wi

rian l

t belongs to the dark ages, and suggests all sorts of horrible pos

in Arthur Dynecourt's dark and sullen eyes that strikes her cold with terror and vague forebodings of evil. It is a wicked look that overspreads the man's face-a cruel, implacable look that seems to freeze her as she gazes at him spell-bound. Slowly, even while she watches him, she sees him turn his glance from he

on the wall beside her, tries to regain her self-possession. The others are all talking together,

to a compact with this man to be a companion in whatever crime he may decide upon. His very look seems to implicate her, to drag her down with him to his level. She feels herself chained to

power of Arthur Dynecourt, she tries to convince herself. He is no more than any other ordinary acquaintance. If indeed she has helped him

r more closely. "Has this damp old place really affected your nerves? Come, let us go down

Dora, in a low tone. "Yes, yes-let u

ayly. "For my part, I feel no

s are. It would be quite a treasure to Lady Betty Trefeld, who raves over the early Britons. It seems rather thr

door slam, and so imprisoned us for life," says Sir Adrian

to give a creditor something for once. I never pay my own debts; but that doesn't cou

ve you?" asks Et

r once the saucy girl has no answer ready, but, blushing crimson, hurries p

door she pauses and st

strange subdued excitement in her to

mpressed in spite of

countable one, perhaps-but still a powerful

ncy?" he ask

ion seems to warrant. "Call it a silly presentiment, if you like, but I honestly think t

me?" he

to please me

im, for she speaks now in the old sweet tone, and

rs. "What is there I would

the kindling of their eyes, the quick breath that comes and goes like happy sighs from the breast of Florence. He hears the whisper, sees the warm blus

f an hour in th

ent, fearing indeed to refuse, Dora foll

orridor without-they find Ethel Villiers awaiting them. She had been looking round her in the dimly lighted s

to, Sir Adrian?" she a

rridor beneath! I am afraid you won't be able to open it, as it is rusty with age and disuse. The servants would as soo

the ancient lock to yield to him. At length his efforts are crowned with success; t

e him wrapped in impenetrable gloom. Spider-nets have been drawn from wall to wall and hang in dusky clouds from the

rks Captain Ringwood. "One would think uncanny

askance at Arthur Dynecourt, and, when taking the trouble to address him at all, has been either sharp or pointed i

s though they fear some ghostly ancestors of mine, descending from the haunted chamber, will pounce out upon them with their he

r, indeed, do I care to know it. I firmly believe I shoul

conscience," says Ringwood carel

" retorts Arthur, laughing, but shooting an an

say?" returns Ringwood coolly. "'Con

says Arthur, with apparent li

By Jove, quite half past four, and we know what Lady FitzAlmont will say to us if we keep her deprived o

hey leave the haunted chamber and all i