ll respects a
happy one, urged her most earnestly not to return there, but without
success. Agnes was convinced that there the path of duty lay, at least
for the present, and nothing could make her swerve from it.

"Remember then, my sweet niece," said her uncle, as he kissed her at
parting, "this is your home, whenever, for any reason, you will make us
so happy as to return to it."

The winter passed by very quietly to Agnes, in her accustomed round of
duties; indeed she was happier than she had yet found herself under Mr.
Fairland's roof, in consequence of the absence of the two young ladies,
who having by some means or other succeeded in securing an invitation
out of some acquaintances in the city, to make them a short visit,
inflicted themselves upon them for the whole winter, and did not return
to Wilston till the spring was far advanced. Their hosts, in order to
rid themselves of such persevering and long-abiding guests, began to
make their preparations long before the usual time for closing their
house and going to the country, and the Misses Fairland, invulnerable as
they proved all winter to anything like a _hint_, were obliged to take
this intended removal of their friends as a "notice to quit," which they
accordingly did.

One bright spot to Agnes this winter, was a visit of a week from Lewie,
who took his vacation at the time of the holidays to run up and see his
sister.

He had his guitar with him, and his voice, which had gained much in
depth and richness, was indescribably sweet. It seemed as if Mr.
Fairland never would tire of hearing the brother and sister sing
together. His mills and everything else were forgotten, while he sat
silently in his great chair with his eyes closed, listening hour after
hour to the blended harmony of their charming voices.

That happy week was soon over, and the brother and sister parted. The
next time Agnes heard the sound of her brother's guitar, under what
different circumstances did its tones strike upon her ear!

XV.

The Strangers in the Rookery.

"If thou sleep alone in Urrard,
Perchance in midnight gloom
Thou'lt hear behind the wainscot
Sounds in that haunted room,
It is a thought of horror,
I would not sleep alone
In the haunted room of Urrard,
Where evil deeds are done."

--UNKNOWN.

"What do you think, Calista? What _do_ you think?" exclaimed Miss
Evelina Fairland, one day soon after their return from the city,