During the first month after her return home, Lucy felt increased wretchedness; but she made great exertions to resume her usual occupations and duties, and to force her attention to teach the children.

She also ventured one fine evening in early spring to visit her husband's study,-that sad room which she had never entered since the day of his death.

She trembled as she opened the door, for she dreaded the sight of all the familiar objects it contained; yet on entering it she was surprised at the feeling of peace which came over her.

She went and sat down in her husband's chair, and opened his Bible.

Then as she looked on some of his favourite passages, a strange conviction that his spirit was near, gave her a sort of awful calmness, and she was able to pray more fervently than she had ever done since his death.

After this, Mrs. Mandeville was able to fulfil her duties with more pleasure, and was rewarded by seeing that Hubert made some progress in his studies.

CHAPTER X.

MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS.

On the evening when Lucy first read that portion of her husband's letter where he spoke of Augustus, she remained longer than usual in deep meditation at the old escritoire, and it was almost dark, when she was suddenly startled by hearing the cry as of a child in pain.

It sounded like what she had heard in the haunted room; and then she remembered with horror that the wall behind the escritoire

where she sat was probably a part of that very room, although, from its being on a different level, it had not occurred to her before.

She hastily groped her way towards the door; but before she could reach it the mysterious sound was repeated-a low wail of agony, and then she heard a voice calling softly"Lucy!"

It sounded like that of her husband, but from afar off, and certainly as if from the room, behind the escritoire.

In her haste to leave the room she stumbled over a table, and fell with considerable violence against a carved ebony cabinet.

She was more frightened than hurt, yet she called loudly for assistance.

Jodkins happened fortunately to be on the staircase which was near the door, and heard

She had a light in her hand, and after helping Lucy up, and examining a bruise on her forehead, which had knocked against the cabinet, the old woman gave vent to her indignation.

"I always know'd what would come of sitting in this here melancholy room! as if it warn't enough so sit moping here by day, but you must stay here in the dark too. Why, you are a shaking all over, and is this the way to please Mr. Mandeville, I should like to know? There, come and look at the children in their beds a sleeping so sweetly, and if you go on a loitering in this here room in the dark again, I shall take away the key, and hide it."

Lucy certainly dreaded to return there the next evening; but she was resolved to conquer the feeling, because she had enjoyed so many peaceful moments while reading the Bible in