d on her sofa and
Herman walking slowly up and down the floor. Then the lady arose to
retire, and Herman lighted a bedroom candle and put it in her hand.

When she had bidden him good night and left the room, he resumed his
slow and thoughtful walk. It was very late, and Jovial opened the door
for the purpose of entering and putting out the lights; but seeing his
master still walking up and down the floor, he retired, and sat yawning
while he waited in the hall without.

The clock upon the mantel-piece struck one, and Herman Brudenell lighted
his own candle to retire, when his steps were arrested by a sound--a
common one enough at other hours and places, only unprecedented at that
hour and in that place. It was the roll of carriage wheels upon the
drive approaching the house.

Who could possibly be coming to this remote country mansion at one
o'clock at night? While Herman Brudenell paused in expectancy, taper in
hand, Jovial once more opened the door and looked in.

"Jovial, is that the sound of carriage wheels, or do I only fancy so?"
asked the young man,

"Carriage wheels, marser, coming right to de house, too!" answered the
negro.

"Who on earth can be coming here at this hour of the night? We have not
an acquaintance intimate enough with us to take such a liberty. And it
cannot be a belated traveler, for we are miles from any public road."

"Dat's jes' what I been a-sayin' to myself, sir. But we shall find out
now directly."

While this short conversation went on, the carriage drew nearer and
nearer, and finally rolled up to the door and stopped. Steps were
rattled down, someone alighted, and the bell was rung.

Jovial flew to open the door--curiosity giving wings to his feet.

Mr. Brudenell remained standing in the middle of the drawing-room,
attentive to what was going on without. He heard Jovial open the door;
then a woman's voice inquired:

"Is this Brudenell Hall?"

"In course it is, miss."

"And are the family at home?"

"Yes, miss, dey most, in gen'al, is at dis hour ob de night, dough dey
don't expect wisiters."

"Are all the family here?"

"Dey is, miss."

"All right, coachman, you can take off the luggage," said the woman, and
then her voice, sounding softer and farther off, spoke to someone still
within the carriage: "We are quite right, my lady, this is Brudenell
Hall; the family are all at home, and have not yet retired. Shall I
assist your ladyship to alight?"

Then a soft, lo