"Heah I is, Marse Duke! House all ready for you, but you done sont word"-- "I know,--I know," answered Haward impatiently.

"I changed my mind.

Is that you, Saunderson, with the light?
Or is it Hide ?" The candle moved to one side, and there was disclosed a large white face atop of a shambling figure dressed in some coarse, dark stuff.

"Neither, sir," said an expressionless voice.

"Will it please your Honor to dismount ?" Haward swung himself out of the saddle, tossed the reins to a negro, and, with Juba at his heels, climbed the five low stone steps and entered the wide hall running through the house and broken only by the broad, winding stairway.