stood full in front of, and overshadowed them. It was a
veritable feudal castle and, as we have said, grand, gloomy and
forbidding to look at. The windows were far up from the ground, no
entrance door was in sight, no walks or drives around it, everywhere
rank grass, with here and there a tuft of golden-rod, or fall aster
springing up. No smoke rising from any of the chimneys, no traces of
footsteps, no sound but the sighing of the wind through the pines, and
the surging of the ocean. Mrs. Carleton was first to break the silence.

"If I were by myself," said she, "I should imagine I must be dreaming,
but I feel the reality of our position, this is no dream. We are all
alone here; this place must have been deserted long ago. Look, there is
the entrance overgrown with brambles. It is best that we are alone; if
we can get shelter, we need not fear molestation."

She spoke calmly and cheerfully and tried to wear a smile for the sake
of the two who were looking at her and listening to her words. Anna had
entertained grave fears for Mrs. Carleton while they were getting up to
the castle. She thought the delicate frame must give way altogether, but
she now saw that her newly-made friend was as brave, as she was gentle
and loving and faithful, and fear gave place to hope and resolve. As she
went a few steps to gather some asters, which the child wished for, she
said to herself, "This fragile, suffering, uncomplaining woman has
already taught me a great lesson, and I will never seek selfish relief
by adding to her overburdened life, the weight of my own sorrow. She
shall always think me cheerful, whatever I may know my self to be, for
nothing that I can do will be of so much help to her and the sweet
child."

As Anna returned, the little one stretched out her hands to receive the
flowers and held up the rosy lips to give a kiss for them, which was her
usual mode of acknowledging any kindness shown to her.

"Miss Vyvyan," said Mrs. Carleton, "I have been looking on the other
side while you have been gathering the flowers. I find there is an
immense pile of ruins there, which looks as if it were the ruins of a
tower. That small entrance at the north end is the only one that is
open. Shall we try to get in, we can beat down the brambles."

The doorway was low and arched, the stone work about it coarse and
massive, the door had fallen from the upper hinge, and lay so far open
that ingress was very easy. The ladies entered and p