n
immediately upon your full awakening--all well-known features of
incubus," replied Mr. Berners. But again he thought of the shadow he had
seen; now, however, only to dismiss the subject as an optical illusion.

Sybil sighed deeply.

"It is hard," she said, "that you won't trust to my senses in this
affair."

"Sweet wife, I would rather convince you how completely your senses have
deceived you. Your imagination has been excited while your nerves were
depressed. You have heard the legend of the Haunted Chapel, and while
sleeping within it you conjured up the heroine of the story in your
dream where she immediately took the form of incubus."

"I!--the legend! What are you talking of, Lyon? I have heard the church
called the Haunted Chapel indeed, but I never even knew that there was
any story connected with it," exclaimed Sybil, in surprise.

"Really? Never heard the legend of 'Dubarry's Fall'?" inquired Mr.
Berners, with equal surprise.

"Never, upon my word."

"Well, it is an old tradition; forgotten like the family with whom it
was connected. I heard it in my childhood; but it had slipped my memory
until your graphic description of the gipsy girl in the red cloak
recalled it to my mind, and led me to believe that your knowledge of the
legend had so impressed your imagination as to make it conjure up the
heroine of the legend."

"What is the legend? Do tell me, Lyon."

"Not now, dearest. You must first have some coffee, which a faithful
friend has provided for us."

"Captain Pendleton?" eagerly inquired Sybil.

"No, dear, our servant Joe. I do not expect to see Captain Pendleton
until nightfall," added Lyon Berners, for he tried to anticipate and
prevent any troublesome questions that Sybil might ask, as he wished to
save her from needless additional pain as long as he possibly could.

"And Joe is here with us?" inquired Sybil, cheerfully.

"No, dear; he has returned home; but will come again to-night."

"But what news did he bring?"

"None. We will hear from Captain Pendleton to-night. Now you must have
some coffee; and then I will tell you the 'Legend of the Haunted
Chapel'; for that legend, Sybil, may well account for your vision,
whether we look on it from my point of view or from yours--as illusion
or reality," said Lyon Berners.

"Or, stay," he added, reflectively; "it is too cold for you to sup in
the open air. I will bring the things in here."

"Well, let me go with you, to help to bring t