ang again. A servant now hastened forward; another
soon followed; a third door was opened from which sprang a lively,
trim-looking lady's maid. She was followed by the house girl. Even
the cook rushed up the steps. All hurried forward to a room which was
generally kept locked, but which now stood wide open. All gazed at the
man standing there scanning them with an earnest, commanding glance.
They stood thus lost in wonder for a moment, then Lord Elliot approached
the door.

"Do you know me--you, there?" said he.

"No, we do not know you," said the waiter, with some hesitation. "We do
not know you, and would like to know by what right--"

"There is no question here of your likes or dislikes, but of the orders
you will receive from me. Do you know the picture next to the one of
your mistress?"

"We have been told that it is our master, Lord Elliot."

Lord Elliot advanced nearer the picture, and stood beneath it. "Do you
know me now?" said he.

The servants examined him critically for a time, then whispered and
consulted together.

"Now do you know me?" repeated Lord Elliot.

"We think we have the honor of seeing his excellency, Lord Elliot," said
the waiter.

"Yes, Lord Elliot," repeated the lady's-maid, the house-girl, and the
cook, bowing respectfully.

He ordered them to enter the room. Tremblingly they obeyed him.

"Are these all the servants, or are there any more of you?" said he.

"No one but the nurse, who is with the little lady, and the coach-man
who is in the stable."

"That is right. Come nearer, all of you."

As they obeyed, he closed and locked the door, dropping the key in his
pocket. The servants looked at him in wonder and terror, hardly daring
to breathe. Though they had never seen their master, they knew by his
stern, expressive countenance that something remarkable was about to
transpire. Like all other servants, they were well acquainted with the
secrets, the behavior of their employer. They were, therefore, convinced
that their mistress was the cause of their master's strange conduct.

"Do not dare to move from this spot--do not make a sound," said Lord
Elliot, taking a light and advancing to a second door. "Remain here.
If I need you I will call." Throwing a last look at the servants, Lord
Elliot entered the adjoining room, drawing the bolt quickly behind him.

"All is right now." said he, softly. "None of them can fly to warn
Camilla to return." Candle in hand, he passed through