be chiefly occupied by stables. "We
will go," said he, "by the back way into the house. We shall thus save
ourselves the necessity of entering the parlour, where some of the
family may still be."

My companion was as talkative as ever, but said nothing from which I
could gather any knowledge of the number, character, and condition of
his family.

CHAPTER IV.

We arrived at a brick wall, through which we passed by a gate into an
extensive court or yard. The darkness would allow me to see nothing but
outlines. Compared with the pigmy dimensions of my father's wooden
hovel, the buildings before me were of gigantic loftiness. The horses
were here far more magnificently accommodated than I had been. By a
large door we entered an elevated hall. "Stay here," said he, "just
while I fetch a light."

He returned, bearing a candle, before I had time to ponder on my present
situation.

We now ascended a staircase, covered with painted canvas. No one whose
inexperience is less than mine can imagine to himself the impressions
made upon me by surrounding objects. The height to which this stair
ascended, its dimensions, and its ornaments, appeared to me a
combination of all that was pompous and superb.

We stopped not till we had reached the third story. Here my companion
unlocked and led the way into a chamber. "This," said he, "is my room;
permit me to welcome you into it."

I had no time to examine this room before, by some accident, the candle
was extinguished. "Curse upon my carelessness!" said he. "I must go down
again and light the candle. I will return in a twinkling. Meanwhile you
may undress yourself and go to bed." He went out, and, as I afterwards
recollected, locked the door behind him.

I was not indisposed to follow his advice, but my curiosity would first
be gratified by a survey of the room. Its height and spaciousness were
imperfectly discernible by starlight, and by gleams from a street-lamp.
The floor was covered with a carpet, the walls with brilliant hangings;
the bed and windows were shrouded by curtains of a rich texture and
glossy hues. Hitherto I had merely read of these things. I knew them to
be the decorations of opulence; and yet, as I viewed them, and
remembered where and what I was on the same hour the preceding day, I
could scarcely believe myself awake, or that my senses were not beguiled
by some spell.

"Where," said I, "will this adventure terminate? I rise on the morrow
with the