Scarcely had my maid finished spreading out my various articles of attire evening (when great dinner-party) rumble of carriage announced that Lady Speldhurst had arrived The short winter's day drew to close, and large number of guests were gathered together ample drawing-room, around the blaze wood-fire, after dinner My father, I recollect, was not at first There were some squires old, hard-riding, hard-drinking stamp still lingering over their port dining-room, host, , leave them But the ladies and all the younger gentlemen--both those who slept under our roof, and those dozen miles of fog and mire to encounter on their road home--were all together Need that Reginald was there ? He sat near me--my accepted lover, my plighted future husband We were married spring My sisters far off; they, too, had found eyes that sparkled and softened in meeting theirs, had found hearts that beat responsive own And, in their cases, no rude frost nipped the blossom ere it became the fruit; no canker in their flowerets of young hope, no cloud in their sky Innocent and loving, they were beloved by men worthy esteem

The room--a large and lofty one, with an arched roof--had somewhat of somber character, from being wainscoted and ceiled with polished black oak of great age There were mirrors, and there were pictures walls, and handsome furniture, and marble chimney-pieces, and gay Tournay carpet; but these merely appeared as bright spots dark background Elizabethan woodwork Many lights were burning, but the blackness walls and roof seemed absolutely to swallow up their rays, like the mouth of cavern hundred candles have given that apartment the cheerful lightness of modern drawing room But the gloomy richness panels matched well ruddy gleam enormous wood-fire, , crackling and glowing, now lay the mighty Yule log Quite blood-red luster poured forth fire, and quivered walls groined roof We had gathered round the vast antique hearth in wide circle The quivering light fire and candles fell upon us all, but not equally, for some were in shadow I remember still how tall and manly and handsome Reginald looked that night, taller head than any there, and full of high spirits and gayety I, too, was highest spirits; never had my bosom felt lighter, and I believe my mirth that gradually gained the rest, for I recollect what blithe, joyous company we seemed All save one Lady Speldhurst, dressed in gray silk and wearing quaint head- dress, sat in her armchair, facing the fire, very silent, with her hands and her sharp chin propped on sort of ivory-handled crutch that she walked with (for she was lame), peering at me with half- shut eyes She was little, spare old woman, with very keen, delicate features French type Her gray silk dress, her spotless lace, old-fashioned jewels, and prim neatness of array, were well suited intelligence of her face, with its thin lips, and eyes of piercing black, undimmed by age Those eyes made me uncomfortable, gayety, followed my every movement with curious scrutiny Still very merry and gay; my sisters even wondered at my ever-ready mirth, almost wild in its excess heard since then Scottish belief doomed to some great calamity become fey, never so disposed for merriment and laughter as just blow falls If ever mortal was fey, then so evening Still, though I strove to shake it off, the pertinacious observation of old Lady Speldhurst's eyes DID make an impression on me of vaguely disagreeable nature Others, too, noticed her scrutiny of me, but set it down as mere eccentricity of person always reputed whimsical, the least of it

However, this disagreeable sensation lasted but After short pause my aunt took her part conversation, and ourselves listening to weird legend, which the old lady told exceedingly well One tale led to another Everyone was called on in turn to contribute public entertainment, and story after story, always relating to demonology and witchcraft, succeeded Christmas, the season for such tales; old room, with its dusky walls and pictures, and vaulted roof, drinking up the light so greedily, seemed just fitted effect to such legendary lore The huge logs crackled and burned with glowing warmth; the blood-red glare Yule log flashed faces listeners and narrator, portraits, holly wreathed about their frames, upright old dame, in her antiquated dress and trinkets, like originals pictures, stepped canvas to join our circle It threw shimmering luster of an ominously ruddy hue oaken panels No wonder ghost and goblin stories had new zest No wonder blood more timid grew chill and curdled, that their flesh crept, that their hearts beat irregularly, girls peeped fearfully over their shoulders, and huddled close together like frightened sheep, and half fancied they beheld some impish and malignant face gibbering at them darkling corners old room By degrees my high spirits died out, and the childish tremors, long latent, long forgotten, coming over me I followed each story with painful interest; ask myself if I believed the dismal tales I listened, and fear grew upon me--the blind, irrational fear nursery days most other ladies present, young or middle-aged, were affected circumstances under which these traditions were heard, no wild and fantastic character But the impression would die out next morning, bright sun should shine frosted boughs, rime grass, scarlet berries and green spikelets holly; and with me--but, ah ! to happen ere another day dawn ? Before we had made an end talk my father other squires came in, and we ceased our ghost stories, ashamed matters before these new-comers--hard-headed, unimaginative men, who had no sympathy with idle legends now stir and bustle

Servants were handing round tea and coffee, and other refreshments Then little music and singing I sang duet with Reginald, who had fine voice and good musical skill I remember that my singing was much praised, and indeed surprised power and pathos own voice, doubtless due to my excited nerves and mind Then I heard someone say to another that by far the cleverest Squire's daughters, prettiest It make me vain I had no rivalry with Lucy and Minnie But Reginald whispered some soft, fond words in my ear little before he mounted his horse to set off homeward, which DID make me happy and proud And we met-- but I forgave him Poor Reginald ! And now shawls and cloaks were in request, and carriages rolled porch, guests gradually departed At last no one was left but those visitors staying house Then my father, who called out bailiff estate, came back with look of annoyance face

"A strange story just been told," said he; "here my bailiff to inform me loss of four choicest ewes out little flock of Southdowns I set such store by, and which arrived north but two months since poor creatures destroyed in so strange manner, for their carcasses are horribly mangled "

Most of us uttered some expression of pity or surprise, and some suggested that vicious dog was probably the culprit

"It would seem so," said my father; "it certainly seems the work of dog; and yet all the men agree that no dog habits exists near us, where, indeed, dogs are scarce, excepting the shepherds' collies sporting dogs secured in yards Yet the sheep are gnawed and bitten, for they show the marks of teeth Something this, and has torn their bodies wolfishly; but apparently only to suck the blood, for little or no flesh is gone "

"How strange ! " cried several voices Then gentlemen remembered heard of cases when dogs addicted to sheep- killing had destroyed whole flocks, in sheer wantonness, scarcely deigning to taste morsel of each slain wether

My father shook his head " heard cases, too," ; "but instance tempted the malice of some unknown enemy at work The teeth of dog busy, , but the poor sheep mutilated in fantastic manner, as strange as horrible; their hearts, in especial, torn out, and left at some paces off, half- gnawed Also, the men persist found the print of naked human foot soft mud ditch, and near it--this " And he held up what seemed broken link of rusted iron chain