第4章 "THE DOOM OF THE GRIFFITHS."

[At this point comes "The Doom of the Griffiths"--already released by Project Gutenberg]

You cannot think how kindly Mrs. Dawson thanked Miss Duncan for writing and reading this story. She shook my poor, pale governess so tenderly by the hand that the tears came into her eyes, and the colour to her checks.

"I though you had been so kind; I liked hearing about Lady Ludlow; Ifancied, perhaps, I could do something to give a little pleasure,"were the half-finished sentences Miss Duncan stammered out. I am sure it was the wish to earn similar kind words from Mrs. Dawson, that made Mrs. Preston try and rummage through her memory to see if she could not recollect some fact, or event, or history, which might interested Mrs. Dawson and the little party that gathered round her sofa. Mrs. Preston it was who told us the following tale: