Whatever hazard there might be to his scheme of vengeance in such an encounter slipped out of his mind before the thought of looking once more at that idolised face, of hearing the loved voice once again.

The woman hesitated for a few moments, telling Gilbert that Mrs.Holbrook never had visitors, and she did not know whether she would like to see him; but on his administering half-a-crown through the scroll-work of the gate, she put the key in the lock and admitted him.

He followed her along the moss-grown path to a wide wooden porch, over which the ivy hung like a voluminous curtain, and through a half-glass door into a low roomy hall, with massive dark oak-beams across the ceiling, and a broad staircase of ecclesiastical aspect leading to a gallery above.

The house had evidently been a place of considerable grandeur and importance in days gone by; but everything in it bore traces of neglect and decay.

The hall was dark and cold, the wide fire-place empty, the iron dogs red with rust.