description.

She was about to diverge from the main hall on the second floor into
the lateral passage leading to Mrs. Sutton's room in the wing, when
her name was called in a gentle, guarded key by her sister-in-law.






CHAPTER IX.

HE DEPARTETH IN DARKNESS.





"COME in! I want to talk to you!" said Mrs. Aylett, beckoning Mabel
into her chamber, from the door of which she had hailed her. "Sit
down, my poor girl! You are white as a sheet with fatigue. I cannot
see why you should have been suffered to know anything about this
very disagreeable occurrence. And Emmeline has been telling me that
Mrs. Sutton actually let you go up into that Arctic room."

"It was my choice. Aunt Rachel went along to carry the light and to
keep me company. She would have dissuaded me from the enterprise if
she could," responded Mabel, sinking into the low, cushioned chair
before the fire, which the mistress of the luxurious apartment had