declared. "These old
fireplaces hold a large pile of wood."

I thought, but I must be mistaken, that he made a gesture as if about to
protest, but, if so, reason must have soon come to his aid, for he said
nothing, though he looked uneasy, as I moved the andirons forward and
made some other trivial arrangements for the fire which I had promised
them.

"He thinks I am never going," I muttered to myself, and took pleasure in
lingering; for, anxious as I was to have the room heated up for her
comfort, I knew that every moment I stayed there would be one less for
her to spend with her surly husband alone.

At last I had no further excuse for remaining, and so with the final
remark that if the fire failed to give them cheer we had a sitting room
into which they could come, I went out. But I knew, even while saying
it, that he would not grant her the opportunity of enjoying the sitting
room's coziness; that he would not let her out of his sight, if he did
out of the room, and that for her to remain in his presence was to be in
darkness, solitude and gloom, no matter what walls surrounded her or in
what light she stood.

My impressions were not far wrong. Mr. and Mrs. Urquhart came to supper,
but that was all. Before the others had finished their roast they had
eaten their pudding and gone; and though he had talked, and laughed, and
shown his white teeth, the impression left behind them was a depressing
one which even Hetty felt, and she has anything but a sensitive nature.

I went to the room once again in the evening. I found them both seated,
but in opposite parts of the room; he by his great box, and she in an
easy chair which I had caused to be brought down from my own room for
her especial use. I did not look at him, but I did at her, and was
astonished to see, first, how dignified she was; and next how pretty.
Had she been happy and at her ease, I should probably have been afraid
of her, for the firelight, which now shone on her wan young cheek,
brought out evidences of character and culture in her expression which
proved her to be, by birth and training, of a position superior to what
one would be led to expect from her husband's aspect and manner. But she
was not happy nor at her ease, and wore, instead of the quiet and
commanding look of the great lady, such an expression of secret dread
that I almost forgot my position of landlady, and should certainly, if
he had not been there, fallen at her side and taken he