It was
therefore with no ordinary satisfaction that I presently beheld a
lighted building in the distance, which as I approached resolved
itself into an inn. Stopping in front of the house, which was closed
against the chill night air, I called out lustily for someone to take
my horse, whereupon the door opened and a man appeared on the
threshold with a lantern in his hand. I at once made my wishes known,
receiving in turn a somewhat gruff,
"'Well it is a nasty night and it will be nastier before it's over;'
an opinion instantly endorsed by a sudden swoop of wind that rushed
by at that moment, slamming the door behind him and awakening over my
head a lugubrious groaning as from the twisting boughs of some old
tree, that was almost threatening in its character.
"'You had better go in,' said he, 'the rain will come next.'
"I at once leaped from my horse and pushing open the door with main
strength, entered the house. Another man met me on the threshold who
merely pointing over his shoulder to a lighted room in his rear,
passed out without a word, to help the somewhat younger man, who had
first appeared, in putting up my horse. I at once accepted his
silent invitation and stepped into the room before me. Instantly I
found myself confronted by the rather startling vision of a young
girl of a unique and haunting style of beauty, who rising at my
approach now stood with her eyes on my face and her hands resting on
the deal table before which she had been sitting, in an attitude
expressive of mingled surprise and alarm.
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