determined her to wait and see what he was about to do; for the expression of his face filled her with an undefined dread. Cautiously he stole along the passage, and down the stairs, followed at some distance by his niece, who carefully selected the most shadowy side for her dangerous midnight adventure, fearful lest a false step, or even a loud breath, might betray her. Having followed Elberfeld to that part of the house near which the dining-room was situated, she found all in complete darkness, all the night lamps having been purposely extinguished—a circumstance which by no means tended to lessen her apprehension that something was seriously wrong. Her uncle, meanwhile, had disappeared, and she stood irresolute what next to do, when, her attention being attracted by the sound of a door opened gently, she perceived, to her astonishment, their large dining-room dimly lighted, and full of people. Perplexed and alarmed by this unexpected cir-
