On her entrance into the kitchen the good creature clasped her hands and shouted for joy; "O good God be thanked, (said she) that I see you once again; my dear lady, where have you been and what have you seen?" "An excellent library of books, (replied Matilda.) "And did you see no ghosts, nor hear no noises?" "I saw no ghosts, but I certainly did hear noises." "Lord have mercy upon us! and so, had you courage to stay?" "Yes, I stayed to view the Apartments, but I was a little frighted, I must confess." "O dear heart, but I hope you won't go again." "Indeed I shall, (said Matilda) I intend to sit there very often, and shall borrow some books to bring home with me." "O, madam, don't be so hardy, who knows what mischief may come of it one day." "I have no fears, good Bertha; if we perform our duties towards God and man, Providence will always preserve us from evil." "Ah! Lord, madam, you talk so good; I am sure I never did hurt to any body, nor Joseph neither, and when no company comes here we be as quiet as lambs, and yet methinks I do wish for folks sometimes, because you know 'tis very lonely—but will you have your bed made below stairs to night?" "No, (replied Matilda) I will sleep in the same room, I have no apprehensions at all now." Bertha wondered at the lady's courage, but said nothing.
Albert had before this requested to sleep below, for as they were ghosts of quality, who never condescended to visit kitchens, he thought himself perfectly safe on the ground floor.
When dinner was over, Matilda said she should go to the library and fetch some books. Bertha looked quite woe begone, but was silent: not so Albert, who had been informed of the perilous adventure his young mistress had undergone in the morning; be besought her, with tears in his eyes, not to trust herself again in the haunted rooms. "If any harm betides you, madam, I shall be a poor miserable fellow for the
