her out of the room.

"How is this?" she asked. "Why do you take me this way? I do not know
the place."

"This is the way I brought you in, Lady Alice," I answered. "I know no
other way to the spot where I found you. And I can guide you no farther
than there--hardly even so far, for I groped my way there for the first
time this night or morning--whichever it may be."

"It is past midnight, but not morning yet," she replied, "I always know.
But there must be another way from your room?"

"Yes, of course; but we should have to pass the housekeeper's door--she
is always late."

"Are we near her room? I should know my way from there. I fear it would
not surprise any of the household to see me. They would say--'It is only
Lady Alice.' Yet I cannot tell you how I shrink from being seen. No--I
will try the way you brought me--if you do not mind going back with me."

This conversation passed in low tone and hurried words. It was scarcely
over before we found ourselves at the foot of the staircase. Lady Alice
shivered, and drew the plaid close round her.

We ascended, and soon found the corridor; but when we got through it,
she was rather bewildered. At length, after looking into several of the
rooms, empty all, except for stray articles of ancient furniture, she
exclaimed, as she entered one, and, taking the candle from my hand, held
it above her head--