and you will not wonder why I devote myself to
teaching these pretty creatures their tricks, and attaching them to me
like dogs! They were slow at first, and they taught me excellent lessons
of patience. Now they understand what I want of them, and they learn
wonderfully well. How you will amuse your friend, when he comes back
from fishing, with the story of the young lady who lives in the dark,
and keeps a company of performing cats! I shall expect _you_ to amuse
_me_ to-morrow--I want you to tell me all about yourself, and how you
came to visit these wild islands of ours. Perhaps, as the days go on,
and we get better acquainted, you will take me a little more into your
confidence, and tell me the true meaning of that story of sorrow which I
read on your face while you were asleep? I have just enough of the woman
left in me to be the victim of curiosity, when I meet with a person who
interests me. Good-by till to-morrow! I wish you a tranquil night, and a
pleasant waking.--Come, my familiar spirits! Come, my cat children! it's
time we went back to our own side of the house."

She dropped the veil over her face--and, followed by her train of cats,
glided out of the room.

Immediately on her departure, Peter appeared and drew back the curtains.
The light of the setting sun streamed in at the window. At the same
moment my traveling companion returned in high spirits, eager to tell me
about his fishing in the lake. The contrast between what I saw and heard
now, and what I had seen and heard only a few minutes since, was so
extraordinary and so startling that I almost doubted whether the veiled
figure with the harp, and the dance of cats, were not the fantastic
creations of a dream. I actually asked my friend whether he had found me
awake or asleep when he came into the room!

Evening merged into night. The Master of Books made his appearance, to
receive the latest news of my health. He spoke and listened absently
as if his mind were still pre-occupied by his studies--except when I
referred gratefully to his daughter's kindness to me. At her name his
faded blue eyes brightened; his drooping head became erect; his sad,
subdued voice strengthened in tone.

"Do not hesitate to let her attend on you," he said. "Whatever interests
or amuses her, lengthens her life. In _her_ life is the breath of mine.
She is more than my daughter; she is the guardian-angel of the house. Go
where she may, she carries the air of heaven with he