caused the rich red blood to mantle over the face and neck of the
beautiful Ellen, whilst she answered in the same tone:

'I humbly crave your pardon, most gracious and prudent 'duenna,' for
having been the only one of the party who designed to treat the young
gentlemen to whom you have alluded, with ordinary civility.'

'She has you there, Mary,' exclaimed the earl, 'and it is now your turn
to blush for not doing the amiable to at least one of the twin
brothers.'

Before Mary could find words wherewith to reply to her uncle's bantering
speech, a low sweet strain of mournful music, fell suddenly upon the
ears of our astonished voyagers, which as it died slowly away, like the
departing imagery of a vivid dream, was succeeded instantly by a loud
shout of bacchanalian laughter, which echoed wildly for a moment
amongst the rocky cliffs of the island, then all was calm and silent as
before.

The surprise occasioned by these strange and mysterious sounds, caused
the earl and his companions to stand, for some moments after their
conclusion in a state of profound and bewildered silence, almost
breathlessly listening as if to hear them again repeated. But, they
listened in vain, for the strange sounds were no more heard, and the
painful silence which had overpowered our singular group of island
visitors, was soon after broken by the Earl of Derwentwater, who spoke
as follows:

'I really believe, that this place is a sort of mixture, composed of
equal portions of fairy land and satan's paradise, judging by the