ve this lonely
house this day, and take up his abode in mine."

"And where do you intend to go yourself?"

"If your father will not admit me as a boarder for the short time I
remain here, I will seek some shelter elsewhere; but if he will, I will
indemnify him well--that is, if you raise no objection to my being for a
few days in the house?"

"Why should I? Our habitation is no longer safe, and you offer us a
shelter. It were, indeed, unjust and most ungrateful to turn you out
from beneath your own roof."

"Then persuade him, Amine. I will accept of nothing, but take it as a
favour; for I should depart in sorrow if I saw you not in safety.--Will
you promise me?"

"I do promise to use my best endeavours--nay, I may as well say at once
it shall be so; for I know my influence. Here is my hand upon it. Will
that content you?"

Philip took the small hand extended towards him. His feelings overcame
his discretion; he raised it to his lips. He looked up to see if Amine
was displeased, and found her dark eye fixed upon him, as once before
when she admitted him, as if she would see his thoughts--but the hand
was not withdrawn.

"Indeed, Amine," said Philip, kissing her hand once more, "you may
confide in me."

"I hope--I think--nay, I am sure I may," at last replied she.

Philip released her hand. Amine returned to her seat and for some time
remained silent, and in a pensive attitude. Philip also had his own
thoughts, and did not open his lips. At last Amine spoke.

"I think I have heard my father say that your mother was very poor--a
little deranged; and that there was a chamber in the house which had
been shut up for years."

"It was shut up till yesterday."

"And there you found your money? Did your mother not know of the
money?"

"She did, for she spoke of it on her death-bed."

"There must have been some potent reasons for not opening the chamber."

"There were."

"What were they, Philip?" said Amine, in a soft and low tone of voice.

"I must not tell, at least I ought not. This must satisfy you--'twas
the fear of an apparition."

"What apparition?"

"She said that my father had appeared to her."

"And did he, think you, Philip?"

"I have no doubt that he did. But I can answer no more questions,
Amine. The chamber is open now, and there is no fear of his
re-appearance."

"I fear not that," replied Amine, musing. "But," continued she, "is not
this connected with your resolution o