hour. He turned
to the house and entered his own apartment. Several of the guests had
already come. Godolphin was yet dressing, when a servant knocked at the
door and presented him with a note.

"Lay it on the table," said he to the valet; "it is probably some excuse
about the ball."

"Sir," said the servant, "a lad has just brought it from S----," naming
a village about four miles distant; "and says he is to wait for an
answer. He was ordered to ride as fast as possible."

With some impatience Godolphin took up the note; but the moment his eye
rested on the writing, it fell from his hands; his cheek, his lips,
grew as white as death; his heart seemed to refuse its functions; it
was literally as if life stood still for a moment, as by the force of a
sudden poison. With a strong effort he recovered himself, tore open the
note, and read as follows:

"Percy Godolphin, the hour has arrived-once more we shall meet. I
summon you, fair love, to that meeting--the bed of death. Come! Lucilla
Volktman."

"Don't alarm the countess," said Godolphin to his servant, in a very
low, calm voice; "bring my horse to the postern, and send the bearer of
this note to me."

The messenger appeared--a rough country lad, of about eighteen or
twenty.

"You brought this note?"

"I did, your honour."

"From whom?"

"Why, a sort of a strange lady as is lying at the 'Chequers,' and not
expected to live. She be mortal bad, sir, and do run on awesome."

Godolphin pressed his hands convulsively together.

"And how long has she been there?"

"She only came about two hours since, sir; she came in a chaise, sir,
and was taken so ill, that we sent for the doctor directly. He says she
can't get over the night."

Godolphin walked to and fro, without trusting himself to speak, for
some minutes. The boy stood by the door, pulling about his hat, and
wondering, and staring, and thoroughly stupid.

"Did she come alone?"

"Eh, your honour?"

"Was no one with her?"

"Oh, yes! a little nigger girl: she it was sent me with the letter."

"The horse is ready, sir," said the servant; "but had you not better
have the carriage brought out? It looks very black; it must rain
shortly, sir; and the ford between this and S---- is dangerous to cross
in so dark a night."

"Peace!" cried Godolphin, with flashing eyes, and a low convulsive
laugh. "Shall I ride to that death-bed at my ease and leisure?"

He strode rapidly down the stairs, and reached th