he same low melancholy tones in which she
had spoken before. "Now, Bella, dear, which is to be my room?"

"You would rather go there first, Blanche?"

"Yes, please--I'm tired. Will you carry up that box for me?" she
continued, pointing out one of the trunks to the servant.

"Directly, ma'am," he returned, as he was looking for change for a
sovereign wherewith to accommodate Colonel Damer--but the lady lingered
until he was at leisure. Then he shouldered the box next to the one she
had indicated, and she directed his attention to the fact, and made him
change his burden.

"They'll all go up in time, ma'am," the man remarked; but Mrs. Damer,
answering nothing, did not set her foot upon the stairs until he was
halfway up them, with the trunk she had desired him to take first.

Then she leaned wearily upon Bella Clayton's arm, pressing it fondly to
her side, and so the two went together to the bedroom which had been
appointed for the reception of the new guests. It was a large and
cosily-furnished apartment, with a dressing-room opening from it. When
the ladies arrived there they found the servant awaiting them with the
box in question.

"Where will you have it placed, ma'am?" he demanded of Mrs. Damer.

"Under the bed, please."

But the bedstead was a French one, and the mahogany sides were so deep
that nothing could get beneath them but dust; and the trunk, although
small, was heavy and strong and clamped with iron, not at all the sort
of trunk that would go _anywhere_.

"Nothing will go under the bed, ma'am!" said the servant in reply.

Mrs. Damer slightly changed colour.

"Never mind then: leave it there. Oh! what a comfort a good fire is,"
she continued, turning to the hearth-rug, and throwing herself into an
arm-chair. "We have had such a cold drive from the station."

"But about your box, Blanche?" said Mrs. Clayton, who had no idea of her
friends being put to any inconvenience. "It can't stand there; you'll
unpack it, won't you? or shall I have it moved into the passage?"

"Oh, no, thank you, Bella--please let it stand where it is: it will do
very well indeed."

"What will do very well?" exclaimed Colonel Damer, who now entered the
bedroom, followed by a servant with another trunk.

"Only Blanche's box, Colonel Damer," said Bella Clayton. "She doesn't
wish to unpack it, and it will be in her way here, I'm afraid. It
_might_ stand in your dressing-room."--This she said as a "feeler,"
knowing that so