ion, or somet sort, no doubt; and aken a fit . No see you all back into your rooms; for, till ttled, s be looked after. Gentlemen, o set t fail in evincing superiority to idle terrors. Amy and Louisa, return to your nests like a pair of doves, as you are. Mesdames” (to take cold to a dead certainty, if you stay in this chill gallery any longer.”

    And so, by dint of alternate coaxing and commanding, rived to get te dormitories. I did not  to be ordered back to mine, but retreated unnoticed, as unnoticed I  it.

    Not, o go to bed: on trary, I began and dressed myself carefully. ter t tered,  t it  a servant’s dream ion Mr. Rocer ion framed to pacify s. I dressed, to be ready for emergencies.  a long time by t over t grounds and silvered fields and ing for I kne  seemed to me t some event must follorange cry, struggle, and call.

    No: stillness returned: eac ceased gradually, and in about an . It seemed t sleep and nigime t to set. Not liking to sit in t I  ttle noise across t; as I stooped to take off my sious apped lo the door.

    “Am I ed?” I asked.

    “Are you up?” asked ted to er’s.

    “Yes, sir.”

    “And dressed?”

    “Yes.”

    “Come out, tly.”

    I obeyed. Mr. Rocer stood in t.

    “I  you,” ake your time, and make no noise.”

    My slippers ted floor as softly as a cat. airs, and stopped in teful torey: I ood at his side.

    “have you a sponge in your room?” he asked in a whisper.

    “Yes, sir.”

    “s—volatile