ere?' continued I.

'She came early on the morning after your ladyship's arrival,' answered
she; 'but do not ask me any more, for the master would think nothing of
turning me out of doors for daring to speak of her at all, much less to
you, my lady.'

I did not like to press the poor woman further, for her reluctance to
speak on this topic was evident and strong.

You will readily believe that upon the very slight grounds which my
information afforded, contradicted as it was by the solemn oath of my
husband, and derived from what was, at best, a very questionable source,
I could not take any very decisive measure whatever; and as to the
menace of the strange woman who had thus unaccountably twice intruded
herself into my chamber, although, at the moment, it occasioned me some
uneasiness, it was not, even in my eyes, sufficiently formidable to
induce my departure from Cahergillagh.

A few nights after the scene which I have just mentioned, Lord
Glenfallen having, as usual, early retired to his study, I was left
alone in the parlour to amuse myself as best I might.

It was not strange that my thoughts should often recur to the agitating
scenes in which I had recently taken a part.

The subject of my reflections, the solitude, the silence, and the
lateness of the hour, as also the depression of spirits to which I had
of late been a constant prey, tended to produce that nervous excitement
which places us wholly at the mercy of the imagination.

In order to calm my spirits I was endeavouring to direct my thoughts
into some more pleasing channel, when I heard, or thought I heard,
uttered, within a few yards of me, in an odd, half-sneering tone, the
words,

'There is blood upon your ladyship's throat.'

So vivid was the impression that I started to my feet, and involuntarily
placed my hand upon my neck.

I looked around the room for the speaker, but in vain.

I went then to the room-door, which I opened, and peered into the
passage, nearly faint with horror lest some leering, shapeless thing
should greet me upon the threshold.

When I had gazed long enough to assure myself that no strange object was
within sight, 'I have been too much of a rake lately; I am racking out
my nerves,' said I, speaking aloud, with a view to reassure myself.

I rang the bell, and, attended by old Martha, I retired to settle for
the night.

While the servant was--as was her custom--arranging the lamp which I
have already stated alwa