rily dissemble my purpose and try first to win your confidence by
the exercise of my poor woman's wits. In this at least I was
successful!"

Irene only spoke the truth. She had completely subdued my will by her
fascinations, and though I hated and, in private, ridiculed all
supernatural dealings, I was prepared to try the wildest experiments at
her bidding.

The trial of my obedience arrived sooner than I anticipated. Immediately
after luncheon next day Irene made a sign to me to follow her into the
garden.

"All is ready!" she exclaimed, with great excitement. "To-night will see
us successful or for ever lost!"

"What do you mean?" I inquired, dubiously; for it did not sound a very
cheery prospect.

"I mean that all things point to a hasty solution of the great problem.
To-night the planets are propitious, and with your help the chain of
communication will be at last complete. Oh, my Beloved! my toil and
waiting has not been all in vain!"

"Well, what do you want me to do?" I said, rather sulkily. "Mind, it
mustn't be this evening, because Mrs. Maitland has a lot of people
coming to dinner, and we can't possibly leave the drawing-room."

"The crisis will be at midnight in the ruined chapel," observed Irene,
as if she were stating the most ordinary fact; "but you must meet me an
hour before to make all sure."

"Preposterous!" I exclaimed; "it's quite out of the question. Wander
about the garden at midnight indeed! What would people say if they saw
us?"

"Do you imagine that I allow myself to be influenced by the opinion of
poor-spirited fools?" inquired Irene with fine scorn. And then, suddenly
changing her tactics, she sobbed and prayed me to grant her this one
boon--it might be the last thing she would ever ask.

Well, she was very handsome, and I am but human. Before she left me I
had promised to do what she wished.

It may be imagined that I passed a miserable day, distracted by a
thousand gloomy apprehensions which increased as the fatal hour
approached. I have mentioned that there was to be a dinner party that
evening.

"A lot of country neighbours," as Maitland explained. "They like a big
feed from time to time. I put out the old port and my wife wears her
smartest dress and all the diamonds. It is quite a fuss to persuade her
to put them on, she is so nervous about them being lost! She always
insists on my locking them up in the safe again before I go to bed. Of
course I don't contradict her, bu