"It hangs beside the door, my Lord;" answered Mrs. Beatrice.
"I will examine it then," cried he.
"Examine it! (repeated the housekeeper) Jesu Maria!—Why, surely my Lord, you could not think of such a thing; surely, surely you, of all men in the world, could not have courage to enter it?"
St. Julian started, and turned quick upon her; and a frown, such as Madeline had never before seen upon it, darkened his brow—his eyes, his piercing eyes, were fastened on her, as if wishing to discover the innermost recesses of her soul, and in an agitated voice he demanded what she meant.
"Meant, my Lord? (said the affrighted Beatrice) meant—why, nothing—nothing that could give your Lordship offence."
St. Julian looked doubtfully at her; then turning, he took down the key, and unlocked the chamber; the moment he opened the
