r John Chillington."

"It is not my intention that you should visit Sir John," said Sister
Agnes. "That portion of my old duties will continue to be performed by
me."

"Not until you are stronger--not until your health is better than it is
now," said Janet earnestly. "I am young and strong; it is merely a part
of what I have undertaken to do, and you must please let me do it. I
have outgrown my childish fears, and could visit the Black Room now
without the quiver of a nerve."

"You think so by daylight, but wait until the house is dark and silent,
and then say the same conscientiously, if you can do so."

But Janet was determined not to yield the point, nor could Sister Agnes
move her from her decision. Ultimately a compromise was entered into by
which it was agreed that for one evening at least they should visit the
Black Room together, and that the settlement of the question should be
left until the following day.

Precisely as midnight struck they set out together up the wide,
old-fashioned staircase, past the door of Janet's old room, up the
narrower staircase beyond, until the streak of light came into view and
the grim, nail-studded door itself was reached. Janet was secretly glad
that she was not there alone; so much she acknowledged to herself as
they halted for a moment while Sister Agnes unlocked the door. But when
the latter asked her if she were not afraid, if she would not much
rather be snug in bed, Janet only said: "Give me the key; tell me what I
have to do inside the room, and then leave me."

But Sister Agnes would not consent to that, and they entered the room
together. Instead of seven years, it seemed to Janet only seven hours
since she had been there last, so vividly was the recollection of her
first visit still impressed upon her mind. Everything was unchanged in
that chamber of the dead, except, perhaps, the sprawling cupids on the
ceiling, which looked a shade dingier than of old, and more in need of
soap and water than ever. But the black draperies on the walls, the huge
candles in the silver tripods, the pall-covered coffin in the middle of
the room, were all as Janet had seen them last. There, too, was the
oaken _prie-dieu_ a yard or two away from the head of the coffin. Sister
Agnes knelt on it for a few moments, and bent her head in silent prayer.

"My visit to this room every midnight," said Sister Agnes, "is made for
the simple purpose of renewing the candles, and of seeing that
e