d refreshments most
welcome to a weary traveller stood upon a table.

"Mine host" was an old campaigner, and had seen much service during
the war of the American revolution, and he was full of interesting
anecdotes and descriptions of adventures. But while Major Stanley was
apparently listening attentively to the narrative of his hospitable
entertainer, throwing in the appropriate ejaculations of surprise and
pleasure at the proper intervals, his whole attention was in reality
absorbed by a charming girl of twenty, the daughter of the colonel,
who graced the table with her presence. Never, he thought, had he seen
so beautiful, so modest, and so ladylike a creature; and she, in turn,
seemed very favorably impressed with the manly beauty and frank
manners of their military guest.

At length she retired. The colonel, who was a three-bottle man, and
had found a listener to his heart, was somewhat inclined to prolong
the session into the small hours of the morning, but finding that his
guest was much fatigued, and even beginning to nod in the midst of his
choicest story, he felt compelled to ask him if he would not like to
retire. Major Stanley replied promptly in the affirmative, and the old
gentleman, taking up a silver candlestick, ceremoniously marshalled
his guest to a large, old-fashioned room, the walls of which being
papered with green, gave it its appellation of the "Green Chamber." A
comfortable bed invited to repose; a cheerful fire was blazing on the
hearth, and every thing was cosy and quiet. The major looked round him
with a smile of satisfaction.

"I am deeply indebted to you, colonel," said he, "for affording me
such comfortable quarters. I shall sleep like a top."

"I am afraid not," answered the colonel, shaking his head gravely. "I
never knew a guest of mine to pass a quiet night in the Green
Chamber."

"I shall prove an exception," said the major, smiling. "But I must
make one remark," he added, seriously. "It is ill sporting with the
feelings of a soldier; and should any of your servants attempt to play
tricks upon me, they will have occasion to repent it." And he laid
his heavy pistol on the lightstand by his bedside.

"My servants, Major Stanley," said the old gentleman, with an air of
offended dignity, "are too well drilled to dare attempt any tricks
upon my guests. Good night, major."

"Good night, colonel."

The door closed. Major Stanley locked it. Having done so, he took a
survey of the