sing
engagement. Mr. McGinty could not accept it, for he had some important
business. So O'Halloran pressed me. I alone was disengaged. I had no
rheumatism, no pressing engagement, no important business. O'Halloran
was urgent in his invitation. Our duel seemed only to have heightened
and broadened his cordiality. I was dying to see Marion--or to find out
how she was--so what did I do? Why, I leaped at the invitation, as a
matter of course.

So once more I was ushered into that comfortable and hospitable
back-parlor. Since I had been there last, what events had occurred!
O'Halloran left me for a time, and I was alone. I sat down, and thought
of that night when I had wandered forth. I thought of all the wild
fancies that had filled my brain, as I wandered about amid the storm,
listening to the howl of the wind, and the deep, sullen moan of the
river. I recalled that strange, weird superstition, which had drawn me
back once more to the house--and the deep longing and craving which had
filled my heart for one glimpse, however faint, of my Lady of the Ice.
I thought of my return--of my earnest gaze around, of the deep toll of
the midnight bell, and of the sudden revelation of that dim, shadowy
figure of a veiled lady, that stood in faint outline by the house,
which advanced to meet me as I hurried over to her.

It was quite dark. There were no lamps lighted, but the coal-fire
flickered and threw a ruddy glow about the apartment; at times leaping
up into brightness, and again dying down into dimness and obscurity.
O'Halloran had gone up-stairs, leaving me thus alone, and I sat in the
deep arm-chair with my mind full of these all-absorbing fancies; and,
in the midst of these fancies, even while I was thinking of that veiled
figure which I had seen under the shadow of the house--even thus--I
became aware of a light footfall, and a rustling dress beside me.

I turned my head with a quick movement of surprise.

There was the figure of a lady--graceful, slender, formed in a mould of
perfect elegance and loveliness, the dark drapery of her dress
descending till it died away among the shadows on the floor. I stared
for a moment in surprise. Then the light of the fire, which had
subsided for a moment, leaped up, and flashed out upon the exquisite
features, and the dark, lustrous, solemn eyes of Marion.

I sprang to my feet, with my heart beating so fast that it seemed
impossible to breathe. The surprise was overwhelming. I had t