bursting in, in a great state of excitement. "Two of the _handsomest_
men have come to the village, one of them is a Mr. Harrington; isn't it
a lovely name? and he has purchased "_the Rookery_" do you believe! some
say that he is a young man, others that he is a widower. They have come
down to hunt and fish, and he was mightily taken with "the Rookery,"
and in spite of ghosts and goblins he has actually bought it;" and here
Miss Evelina paused to take breath.

"The Rookery" was a large old mansion which had once been a very
handsome dwelling. It stood quite alone on a rising ground a little out
of the village, and was surrounded with an extensive lawn, which on one
side sloped down the lake, over which were scattered magnificent elms;
and there was only one thing that prevented "the Rookery" from being the
most delightful residence in the country. This was the well-attested
fact that the house was haunted; and though at different times, those
who were above being influenced by these idle fears, had fitted up the
place and endeavored to live there, yet there could be no comfort in so
large a house without servants, and not one could be found to remain in
it more than one night. Servants were brought from a distance, but they
soon heard in the village the story of the lady who died so mysteriously
in that house twenty years before, and how she _walked_ every night,
and then of course they heard sounds, and saw sights; and they too,
forthwith took their departure.

So the old house was quite falling into decay when these two brave men
came down and took possession of it; and fitting up comfortably two or
three of the most tenantable rooms, they there kept bachelors' hall,
unterrified and undisturbed, at least by _spirits_. A few days after the
announcement of the arrival of the strangers in the village, a widow
lady of the name of Danby came to make a visit to the Fairland's. She
had with her a little girl, her only child, a wilful, spoiled little
thing, who took her own course in everything, utterly regardless of the
wishes or commands of others. In the afternoon, as Agnes was preparing
to start with her little pupils for their accustomed walk, Mrs. Danby
said:

"Bella wishes to accompany you, Miss Elwyn, but you must take good care
of her."

"I will do my best, Mrs. Danby," said Agnes, "but one thing I shall
insist upon, and that is, that Bella shall obey me as my own little
scholars do."

Miss Bella was not at all