wide open, stared forward with
a startling and somewhat sinister expression. She was wrapped round in a
clean white bedgown; and her long thin arms lay straight before her on
the outside of the bedclothes. Her lips were moving, as if she were
talking to herself.

"She's a strange-looking object, indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Aubrey, as he
and Dr. Tatham stood watching her for a few moments in silence.

"Dame! dame!" said the doctor, loudly, approaching her bedside, "how are
you to-day? It's Christmas-day--I wish you a merry Christmas."

"Ay, ay--merry, merry!" echoed the old woman, with a half-groan. "More
the merrier! I've seen a hundred and nine of them!"

"You seem comfortable enough, dame," said Mr. Aubrey, kindly. "I hope
you _are_?"

"They won't give me my broth--my broth," said she, peevishly.

"It's coming, granny," called out the shrill voice of the girl sitting
before the fire, quickening her motions.

"Here's the squire come to see you, dame, and he wishes you a happy
Christmas," said Dr. Tatham, loudly.

"What! the squire? Alive yet? Ah, well-a-day! well-a-day!" said she, in
a feeble, mournful tone, slowly rubbing together her long, skinny,
wrinkled hands, on the backs of which the veins stood out like knotted
whipcord. She repeated the last words several times, in a truly doleful
tone, gently shaking her head.

"Granny's been very sad, sir, to-day, and cried two or three times,"
said the little girl, stirring about the hot broth.

"Poor squire! doth he not look sad?" inquired the old woman.

"Why should I, dame? What have I to fear?" said Mr. Aubrey, somewhat
quickly.

"Merry in the Hall! all, merry! merry! But no one has heard it except
old blind Bess. Where's the squire?" she added, suddenly turning full
towards the spot where they were standing--and her face seemed whitened
with emotion. Her staring eyes were settled on Mr. Aubrey's face, as if
she saw him distinctly, and were reading his very soul.

"Here I am, dame," said he, with a great deal of curiosity, to say the
least of it.

"Give me your hand, Squire," said she, stretching out her left arm, and
working about her talon-like fingers, as if in eagerness to grasp Mr.
Aubrey's hand, which he gave her.

"Never fear! never, never! Happy in the Hall! I see all! How long"----

"Why, dame, this is truly a very pleasant greeting of yours," interposed
Dr. Tatham, with a smile.

"Short and bitter! long and sweet! Put your trust in God, Squire