would last much longer.  Before long both would be expended, and I should be in darkness.  In darkness, and alone in that house.  The bare idea of a night passed in such solitude was terrible to me.  I tried to laugh at my fears.  And reproached myself with weakness and cowardice.  I reverted to the stereotyped method of consolation under circumstances of this description, and strove to persuade myself that, being guiltless, I had no cause to fear the powers of evil.  But in vain.  Trembling from head to foot, I raked together the smouldering embers in the stove for the last time, wrapped my railway rug around me—­ for I dared not undress—­and threw myself on the bed, where I lay sleepless until the dawn.  But oh, what I endured all those weary hours no human creature can imagine.  I watched the last sparks of the fire die out, one by one, and heard the ashes slide and drop slowly upon the hearth.  I watched the flame of the candle flare up and sink again a dozen times, and then at last expire, leaving me in utter darkness and silence.  I fancied, ever and anon, that I could distinguish the sound of phantom feet coming down the corridor towards my room, and that the mysterious Presence I had encountered in the panelled chamber stood at my bedside looking at me, or that a stealthy hand touched mine.  I felt the sweat upon my forehead, but I dared not move to wipe it away.  I thought of people whose hair had turned white through terror in a few brief hours, and wondered what color mine would be in the morning.  And when at last—­at last—­the first grey glimmer of that morning peered through the window-blind, I hailed its appearance with much the same emotions as, no doubt, a traveler fainting with thirst in a desert would experience upon descrying a watery oasis in the midst of the burning sands.  Long before the sun arose, I leapt from my couch, and having made a hasty toilette, I sallied out into the bleak, frosty air.  It revived me at once, and brought new courage into my heart.  Looking at the whitened expanse of lawn where last night I had seen the two women running, I could detect no sign of footmarks in the snow.  The whole lawn presented an unbroken surface of sparkling crystals.  I walked down the drive to the lodge.  The old man, evidently an early bird, was in the act of unbarring his door as I appeared.

Halloa, sir, you’re up betimes!” he exclaimed.  “Will ye just step in now and take somethin’?  My ole woman’s agoin’ to get out the breakfast.  Slept well last night, sir?” he continued, as I entered the little parlour; “the bed is rayther hard, I know; but, ye see, it does well enow for my son George when he’s up here, which isna often.  Ye look tired like, this morning; didna get much rest p’raps?  Ah! now then, Bess, gi’ us another plate here, ole gal.”

I ate my breakfast in comparative silence, wondering to myself whether it would be well to say anything to my host of my recent experiences, since he had clearly no suspicions on the subject; and, anon, wishing I had comported myself in that terrible house with as little curiosity as the “son George,” who no doubt was content to stay where he was put at night, and was not given to nocturnal excursions in empty mansions.