But he went on, instead, to the table where his desk, always jealously locked, was placed, and having lighted the candles which stood by it, he glanced at me, and said-- 'You must wait a little, Maud; I shall have something to say to you.

Take this candle and amuse yourself with a book meanwhile.' I was accustomed to obey in silence.

I chose a volume of engravings, and ensconced myself in a favourite nook in which I had often passed a half-hour similarly.

This was a deep recess by the fireplace, fenced on the other side by a great old escritoir.

Into this I drew a stool, and, with candle and book, I placed myself snugly in the narrow chamber.