lank, and cadaverous; his eyes shone with a clear, amber, and steady
light, and had an abstracted expression usually, accompanied with a not
unfrequent and most peculiar warp of the pupils.

His hair was singularly shaggy and picturesque in its tawny grayness,
and wavy, wiry length. Above his eyes his heavy brows of the same
texture and color seemed to make a pent-house, from which the high, pale
brow receded gradually; his profile was aquiline to absolute
grotesqueness. The idea of "Punchinello" presented itself irresistibly
at the sight of his parrot-like nose and suddenly-upturned chin.

His gait was as peculiar as his countenance and manner; he glided, in
walking, carrying himself erectly, with his arms closely pinioned to his
sides. He was altogether so extraordinary looking that I felt myself
staring almost rudely at him on our first interview; yet his dress was
in no way remarkable except for an air of old-fashioned and speckless
neatness.

Madame La Vigne was a pretty and well-preserved woman, of about
thirty-five, a fair brunette, originally, to whom most of her daughters
bore a close resemblance. One alone, the plainest of the band,
presenting a resemblance, most unfortunately for her, of "Colonel La
Vigne," as his wife called him, with scrupulous punctilio.

One son, the eldest of their family, they spoke of as the pride of their
hearts even on that first interview. He was in the navy, and,
consequently, much from home. They regretted this for many reasons, they
said, and, among others, on my account. He was so genial, so
companionable--their own dear Walter--"such a delightful fellow," as his
sister Madge declared exultingly--the second of this band of
sisters--and, as far as I could observe, on first acquaintance, the
brightest. Marion, the elder, was extremely pretty and gentle; and
Bertie, the third, taciturn and unprepossessing, yet evidently sensible.
She it was who alone resembled her father.

* * * * *

Fortunately, for the uninterrupted success of my scheme, Evelyn had one
of her sick turns that day, and remained closely shut up in her room. At
one o'clock, I summoned Franklin to my chamber.

"There is a trunk," I said, "that I wish you would take to the Mansion
House--to the care of a Mr. Somnus lodging there--here is the card
attached, with his name; place it with his baggage. It is to go to New
York, for a Miss Harz, a relation of mine--a teacher, I believe,