But she felt that she would be making friends in Influential Quarters by thus laying up her treasure, and that she would be safe if she had the good-will of the ministers of her sect.
Myrtle Hazard had nearly reached the age of fourteen, and, though not like to inherit much of the family property, was fast growing into a large dower of hereditary beauty.

Always handsome, her features shaped themselves in a finer symmetry, her color grew richer, her figure promised a perfect womanly development, and her movements had the grace which high-breeding gives the daughter of a queen, and which Nature now and then teaches the humblest of village maidens.

She could not long escape the notice of the lovers and flatterers of beauty, and the time of danger was drawing near.
At this period of her life she made two discoveries which changed the whole course of her thoughts, and opened for her a new world of ideas and possibilities.
Ever since the dreadful event of November, 1854, the garret had been a fearful place to think of, and still more to visit.

The stories that the house was haunted gained in frequency of repetition and detail of circumstance.

But Myrtle was bold and inquisitive, and explored its recesses at such times as she could creep among them undisturbed.