interrogatory, and as Lady Janet perceived as
much, she repeated the phrase in a still louder and more authoritative
tone, till, in the fulness of the accents, they fell upon the ears
of him who, if not best able to give the answer, was, at least, most
interested in its nature.

He started, and sat up; and although, from the position of his bed in
a deep alcove he was himself screened from observation, the others were
palpable enough to his eyes.

"Yes," cried Lady Janet, for the third time, "I ask, who is Mr. Linton?"

"Upon my life, your Ladyship has almost made me doubt if there be such a
person," said Tom, protruding his head through the curtains.

"I vow he's in the bed yonder!" said Lady Janet, starting back. "Flint,
I think you are really too bad; this is all your doing, or yours, sir,"
turning to Phillis with a face of anger.

"Yes, my Leddy, it's a' his meddlin'."

"Eh, Leddy Janet, what's this?" said Sir Andrew, suddenly joining the
party, after a very dangerous excursion along dark corridors and back
stairs.

"We've strayed into Mr. Linton's room, I find," said she, gathering up
various small articles she had on entering thrown on the table. "I must
only reserve my apologies for a more fitting time and place, and wish
him 'good-night.'"

"I've even dune something o' the same wi' Mrs. Kannyfack," said Sir
Andrew. "She was in bed, though, and so I made my retreat undiscovered."

"I regret, Lady Janet," said Linton, politely, "that my present toilet
does not permit me to show you to your apartment, but if you will allow
Mr. Phillis--"

"Dinna get up, man," broke in Sir Andrew, as he half pushed the invading
party out of the door; "we'll find it vara weel, I 've na doubt." And
in a confused hubbub of excuses and grumblings they withdrew, leaving
Linton once more to court slumber, if he could.

"I beg pardon, sir," said Phillis, popping in his head the minute after,
"but Mr. Downie Meek' has taken the rooms you meant for Lady Janet;
they've pillaged all the chambers at either side for easy-chairs and
cushions to--"

"With all my heart; let them settle the question between them, or leave
it to arbitration. Shut the door, pray."

"Mrs. White, too, and a large party are in the library, and I don't know
where to show them into."

"Anywhere but here, Phillis. Good-night; there's a good man,
good-night."

"They 're all asking for you, sir; just tell me what to say."

"Merely that I have passed a sh