Then Constance bowed herself three times,--although she lost her
balance in the act, and Carol forgot her dignity and gave way to
laughter, swiftly subdued, however.

"Arise and approach the altar," she commanded in the shrill voice,
which yet gave signs of laughter.

Constance arose and approached.

"Upon the altar, before the Eternal Light, you will find a small black
bow, with a drop of human blood in the center. This is the badge of
your pledgedom. You must wear it day and night, during the entire two
weeks. After that, if all is well; you shall be received into full
membership. If you break your pledge to the Order, it must be restored
at once to Skull and Crossbones. Take it, and pin it upon your breast."

Constance did so,--and her breast heaved with rapture and awe in
mingling.

Then a horrible thing happened. The flame of the "Eternal Light" was
suddenly extinguished, and Carol exclaimed, "The ceremony is ended.
Return, damsel, to thine abode."

A sound of scampering feet,--and Constance knew that the Grand
Officials had fled, and she was alone in the dreadful darkness. She
called after them pitifully, but she heard the slam of the kitchen door
before she had even reached the ladder.

It was a sobbing and miserable neophyte who stumbled into the kitchen a