over this. She, you, and the other women will occupy
that room to-night. Hecate has had my orders to that effect, and I hope
you will find that she has made the place as comfortable as
circumstances will permit."

And so saying, he stuck a stump of a tallow candle in a scooped-out
turnip and handed it to Gentiliska, and motioned her to conduct their
guest from the room.

Sybil very willingly left the company of the robbers, and followed her
hostess to the chamber above.

It was a large bare room, warmed and lighted by a fine wood fire, and
furnished only with a few pallets made of dried leaves, with blankets
thrown over them.

The old crone called Hecate and the pale girl nicknamed Proserpine stood
basking before the blaze of the fire.

Sybil felt pleased to know that she might sleep in peace that night,
protected by the presence of other women.

"This is the new lady's bed, this best one in the corner here by the
fire," old Hecate explained, pointing to a pallet that, in addition to
its dried leaves and warm blankets, was graced with clean sheets and
pillow-cases.

Sybil thanked the old woman for her favor; and being very weary, took
off her upper garments and laid down to rest, committed herself to the
kind care of Heaven, and soon sank into a deep sleep, that lasted until
morning.

CHAPTER XI.

RAPHAEL.

I might call him
Something divine, for nothing natural
I ever saw so noble.--SHAKESPEARE.

When she woke up, the sun was streaming in at the unshaded windows, and
by its blaze of light she saw that two of the women had left the room,
and left no one with her except Gentiliska.

The girl was up, and was making what shift she could to wash her face
with the aid of a tin basin, a stone ewer, and a crash towel, all of
which, for want of a wash-stand, were placed upon the bare floor.

When she had finished washing, she carefully emptied the contents of the
basin out of the window, and refilled it again with fresh water for
Sybil. Then, happening to turn around, she discovered that her guest was
awake.

"You rested well," she said, with a smile.

"Yes, for I was worn out. This is the first night in four that I have
laid down, and the second night in eight," answered Sybil.

"My gracious goodness! How could you stand it? You cannot be rested yet.
You had better lie a bed longer."

"No, I would rather get up," said Sybil, rising.

As on a former occas