“tiooel nipht then. I will send a
lad to show you the l chamber. If you
.lay lill moriiiup," said imperious
Miss Rarhara, with a nod of her pretty
hi ad. “ I will marry you."
“ You vow at; "
Krnest turned straiphl away ami fol
lowed the lad m wailinp throuph dim
rooms and passapes up echoing stairs,
aloup narrow damp ways, where rats
scuttled before* a low chamber. The*
lad looked pale ami seared, and evi
deiilly wanted to hurry away, hut
Krui'sl made* him wait till lie took a
survey by the aid of his lamp. It was
very larpe and full recesses, which
had been barred across, lit* reiueui
lu red that old (Iraiidsiri* I'Vrros had
been insane for several yews before
Ins death, so that (his precaution had
been ue-eessary for the safety of him
self and others. In the venter of till*
room stood a eolliu: beside il stood a
ediair. The room was otherwise per
IVetly empty.
Krnest stretched himself out in the
eolliu.
“Be kind enough to tell Miss Barba
rail is a pood lit," he* said.
The bov went out and shut the eloor,
leaving tin* yeiuup punsmith alone* in
I he riiom.
Meanwhile, Barbara was talking
with the hip blacksmith in the sitting
room.
