rmit,
retire at once. To-night I must bivouac; to-morrow my trunk is to follow
from the 'Dragon.' So if you will show me to my room I shall wish you a
good slumber and a better awakening."

Jonathan silently gave the lantern to Nance, and she, turning and
curtseying in the doorway, proceeded to conduct their guest up the broad
winding staircase of the tower. He followed with a very brooding face.

"Alas!" cried Nance, as she entered the room, "your fire black out,"
and, setting down the lantern, she clapped upon her knees before the
chimney and began to rearrange the charred and still smouldering
remains. Mr. Archer looked about the gaunt apartment with a sort of
shudder. The great height, the bare stone, the shattered windows, the
aspect of the uncurtained bed, with one of its four fluted columns
broken short, all struck a chill upon his fancy. From this dismal survey
his eyes returned to Nance crouching before the fire, the candle in one
hand and artfully puffing at the embers; the flames as they broke forth
played upon the soft outline of her cheek--she was alive and young,
coloured with the bright hues of life, and a woman. He looked upon her,
softening; and then sat down and continued to admire the picture.

"There, sir," said she, getting upon her feet, "your fire is doing
bravely now. Good-night."

He rose and held out his hand. "Come," said he, "you are my only friend
in these parts, and you must shake hands."

She brushed her hand upon her skirt and offered it, blushing.

"God bless you, my dear," said he.

And then, when he was alone, he opened one of the windows, and stared
down into the dark valley. A gentle wimpling of the river among stones
ascended to his ear; the trees upon the other bank stood very black
against the sky; farther away an owl was hooting. It was dreary and
cold, and as he turned back to the hearth and the fine glow of fire,
"Heavens!" said he to himself, "what an unfortunate destiny is mine!"

He went to bed, but sleep only visited his pillow in uneasy snatches.
Outbreaks of loud speech came up the staircase; he heard the old stones
of the castle crack in the frosty night with sharp reverberations, and
the bed complained under his tossings. Lastly, far on into the morning,
he awakened from a doze to hear, very far off, in the extreme and
breathless quiet, a wailing flourish on the horn. The down mail was
drawing near to the "Green Dragon." He sat up in bed; the sound was
tragical