n the
tin box, and Gerard Artis watched him, thinking what a little there was
between him and the obnoxious will.

"Miss D'Enghien, Miss Lawrence, will you kindly follow me? Ramo, lead
the way."

It was like going from one gloom into another far deeper, as the door
was thrown open, and Ramo led the way along the short, wide passage,
bearing a silver candlestick, whose light played softly on the great
stained window when he stopped, and illuminated the bronze club of the
centaur, still raised to strike.

The eyes of Gerard Artis were fixed upon the tin box containing the
will--the keen look of Katrine D'Enghien on the old Indian servant, as
he took a key from his cummerbund--while Paul Capel gazed, with his soul
in his glance, on Katrine, ignorant that, with spirit sinking lower and
lower, Lydia was watching him.

The solicitor gave a glance around full of solemnity and awe, as if to
ask were all ready. Then, as if satisfied, he made a sign to Ramo.

The Indian raised the candlestick above his head, softly thrust in the
key, turned it, and threw open the door, when once more, from the
darkness within, the strange aromatic odour floated forth.

"Mr Capel, you are master here," said the old lawyer softly. "Enter
first."

CHAPTER SEVEN.

LYING IN STATE.

Paul Capel looked round at Katrine, who gave him a sympathetic glance,
and entered the room, taking a step forward and pausing for the rest to
follow. Ramo closed the door, and drew a heavy curtain across, whose
rings made a peculiar thrilling noise on the thick brass rod.

Ramo then lit two wax candles upon the chimney-piece, and a couple more
upon the dressing-table, whose united light was only sufficient to show
in a dim way the extent of the room, with its old-fashioned bed and
hangings of dark cloth, similar curtains being over the window, and
across what seemed to be a second door opposite the couch.

There was an intense desire to look towards the bed, but it was mastered
by a strange shrinking, and the visitors to the death-chamber occupied
themselves first in looking round at the objects that met their eye.

It was richly furnished, and on every hand it seemed that its occupant
had taken precautions to guard himself from the cold of England, after a
long sojourn in a hotter land. A thick Turkey carpet was on the floor,
large skin rugs were by the fire-place and bedside, dressing-table, and
wash-stand. Similar rugs were thrown over the easy-