sure you. This key," she said, turning to her young
companions, "unlocks a gallery at the end of the eastern wing, which
is always locked up, because the room is full of curious and rare
treasures, that were brought by my father's brother from many foreign
lands."

They enter.--"This may be a charming place," said one of the youngest
and liveliest of the party, "but see, the rain has passed away, and
the sun has at last burst out from the clouds. How brightly he shines,
even through these dull and dusty windows!" She gave but a passing
glance to the treasures around her, and hastened to a half open door
at the end of the gallery. Some of her companions followed her to a
broad landing place, at the top of a flight of marble stairs. They
were absent but a few minutes, and they returned with smiles of
delight, and glad, eager voices, declaring that they had unbolted a
door at the bottom of the staircase, and found themselves in the most
beautiful part of the gardens. "Come!" said the young and sprightly
girl, "do not loiter here; leave these rare and beautiful things until
it rains again, and come forth at once with me into the sweet, fresh
air."

The Lady Ellinor and her friend the Lady Anne were sitting side by
side, at the same table, and looking over the same volume--a folio of
Norman chronicles, embellished with many quaint and coloured pictures.
They both lifted up their faces from the book, as their merry
companions again addressed them. "Nay, do not _look_ up, but rise up!"
said the laughing maiden, and drawing away the volume from before
them, she shut it up instantly, and laid it on another table; throwing
down a branch of jessamine in its place.

"Yes, yes, you are right, my merry Barbara," replied the Lady Ellinor,
and she rose up as she spoke, "we have been prisoners all the day
against our will, why should we now be confined when the smile of
Nature bids us forth to share her joy. Come, come! my sweet Anne,
_you_ are not wont to be the last," turning to her friend, who
lingered behind. "Oh!" cried Lady Anne, "I am coming, I will soon be
the first amongst you, I only wait a moment to bind up my troublesome
hair." As she spoke, her eyes rested upon a little volume, which lay
upon the broad sill of the casement. The wind fluttered in the pages,
and blew them over and over; and half curiously, half carelessly,
she looked again, and yet again. The word _murder_ caught her eye;
her feelings were still in a stat