t
is thus honored?'

'Well?' was the deferential rejoinder, in a tone denoting a wish to hear
the deduction.

'Then, if it is a bed-chamber, snug and comfortable, do me the favor to
apportion it to me for the night.'

'Most certainly, if you are serious,' rejoined Boniface; 'it shall be made
ready immediately; but I assure you that my patrons seldom give it the
preference.'

Hereupon the bell was rung, and the waiter presenting himself, was
requested to direct the chamber-maid to prepare the large room, and to see
that the bed was well aired, and to tell Boots to take the gentleman's
trunk up, to kindle a fire, and to see that every thing was tidy.

The evening was thus whiled away until the hour of eleven had arrived,
when the great stillness of the house betokened the time for retiring.
Accordingly, the chamber-maid was summoned, and with a candle in each
hand, she led the way up a wide stair-case, graced with twisted bannisters
and of easy ascent, terminating on a long corridor, the floor full of
uncertain undulations, running the entire length of the building. At the
end was a door, which upon opening, discovered a room of large
proportions, with a low ceiling divided into square compartments. Here our
traveller was no sooner installed and left alone, than he locked the door;
then with candle in hand he began to examine each crack and cranny, but
could find nothing suspicious. There were few things in it worthy of note,
excepting a large bed with drawn curtains of dazzling whiteness; a most
ample hearth, on which was blazing a bundle of dry faggots, sending forth
a warm, cheerful light into the room, more powerful than both the candles.
This huge fire-place, with its concomitant ornament, a profusely-carved
mantel-piece of the usual time-stained oak, was at least five feet high,
and more than two feet broad; its ingenious workmanship occupied his
attention, and kept him for some time engaged in curious admiration of its
exquisite quaintness. The other furniture consisted of chairs, a
chest-of-drawers, and a table, all the work of a former age. An easy chair
was placed in the middle of the room, in which the stout gentleman
composed himself luxuriously for a short time. The room however was too
large to be easily warmed, and he soon abandoned it for the bed, but not
before he had raked the remaining brands together and extinguished the
candles. Not feeling at once the influence of the drowsy god, he abandoned
h