far, they saw, among some ruined buildings at a distance,
one single solitary light.

It shone from what appeared to be an old oriel window, and being
surrounded by the deep shadows of overhanging walls, sparkled like a
star. Bright and glimmering as the stars above their heads, lonely and
motionless as they, it seemed to claim some kindred with the eternal
lamps of Heaven, and to burn in fellowship with them.

'What light is that!' said the younger brother.

'It is surely,' said Mr Garland, 'in the ruin where they live. I see
no other ruin hereabouts.'

'They cannot,' returned the brother hastily, 'be waking at this late
hour--'

Kit interposed directly, and begged that, while they rang and waited at
the gate, they would let him make his way to where this light was
shining, and try to ascertain if any people were about. Obtaining the
permission he desired, he darted off with breathless eagerness, and,
still carrying the birdcage in his hand, made straight towards the spot.

It was not easy to hold that pace among the graves, and at another time
he might have gone more slowly, or round by the path. Unmindful of all
obstacles, however, he pressed forward without slackening his speed,
and soon arrived within a few yards of the window. He approached as
softly as he could, and advancing so near the wall as to brush the
whitened ivy with his dress, listened. There was no sound inside. The
church itself was not more quiet. Touching the glass with his cheek,
he listened again. No. And yet there was such a silence all around,
that he felt sure he could have heard even the breathing of a sleeper,
if there had been one there.

A strange circumstance, a light in such a place at that time of night,
with no one near it.

A curtain was drawn across the lower portion of the window, and he
could not see into the room. But there was no shadow thrown upon it
from within. To have gained a footing on the wall and tried to look in
from above, would have been attended with some danger--certainly with
some noise, and the chance of terrifying the child, if that really were
her habitation. Again and again he listened; again and again the same
wearisome blank.

Leaving the spot with slow and cautious steps, and skirting the ruin
for a few paces, he came at length to a door. He knocked. No answer.
But there was a curious noise inside. It was difficult to determine
what it was. It bore a resemblance to the low moaning o