and malice, and bitterness, all so antagonistic to the love of God. I
hope! oh, I hope my motive is, singly and purely to avoid offending Him,"
said May, humbly and earnestly.

"I heartily wish the old wretch would die!" exclaimed Helen.

"Oh, Helen! so unprovided as he is for another world! Unsay that, won't
you?" cried May, clasping her hands together.

"No, May; I mean it. I think he is as much fit to die now as he ever
will be. He has doubtless spent his life in tormenting others, and it
will only be fair when he is tormented in his turn. But, spare those
looks of horror, and tell me, who do you think passed by here this
morning, and looked in, and bowed?"

"I cannot tell," said May, sadly.

"That handsome Jerrold. I hope he may prove a knight-errant, and deliver
me from Giant Despair's castle," said the frivolous girl, while she
twisted her long, shining curls around her fingers.

"Take care, Helen. Romance does very well in books, but it is a
mischievous thing to mix up in the real concerns of life."

"My dearest May, I shall never want a skull to grin ghastly lessons of
morality at me, while I have you," replied Helen, with a scornful laugh.

"Pardon me, Helen; I fear that I do say too much; but let my good
intention be my excuse," said May.

"Yes, it is intolerable. My old Tartar of an uncle swearing and scolding
down stairs, and you preaching and praying, up. It is more than human
nature can bear.--Where are you going?"

"To confession," replied May, in a low tone.

"Very well; but, my dear 'wee wee woman,' don't stay long, for I believe
this rambling, musty old house is haunted."

"Come with me, then?"

"Not to-day; I have an idea of exploring it, and should like, of all
things, to get into the very room which Blue Beard keeps locked up. Is
there any possible way of getting in?"

"Yes."

"How? tell me, quick!"

"Ask Uncle Stillinghast for the key," said May, while a flash of
merriment lit up her eyes.

"Excuse me, ma'am," said Helen, curtseying:

"I leave all such exploits to people who are anxious to become martyrs.
_I_ have no such ambition."

CHAPTER VIII.

TROUBLED WATERS.

"Where are you gadding to now?" said Mr. Stillinghast, who had
encountered May and Helen at the hall-door, on their way out to church.
"Where are you both going?"

"We are going to mass, sir," said May, in her usual quiet, pleasant way.

"One of you stay in. I won't have the house left so;