For as we passed down the passage and into a large hall which seemed strangely familiar to me, there was a full-length portrait of my father standing right in front of me.

I stood staring with a gasp of astonishment, and turned to see the cold grey eyes of my companion fixed upon me with a humorous glitter.
'You seem surprised, Monsieur de Laval,' said he.
'For God's sake,' said I, 'do not trifle with me any further! Who are you, and what is this place to which you have taken me ?' For answer he broke into one of his dry chuckles, and, laying his skinny brown hand upon my wrist, he led me into a large apartment.

In the centre was a table, tastefully laid, and beyond it in a low chair a young lady was seated, with a book in her hand.

She rose as we entered, and I saw that she was tall and slender, with a dark face, pronounced features, and black eyes of extraordinary brilliancy.

Even in that one glance it struck me that the expression with which she regarded me was by no means a friendly one.
'Sibylle,' said my host, and his words took the breath from my lips, 'this is your cousin from England, Louis de Laval.