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too perfect。
Scarcely had my maid finished spreading out my various articles of
attire for the evening （when there was to be a great dinner…party）
when the rumble of a carriage announced that Lady Speldhurst had
arrived。 The short winter's day drew to a close； and a large
number of guests were gathered together in the ample drawing…room；
around the blaze of the wood…fire； after dinner。 My father； I
recollect； was not with us at first。 There were some squires of
the old； hard…riding； hard…drinking stamp still lingering over
their port in the dining…room； and the host； of course； could not
leave them。 But the ladies and all the younger gentlemenboth
those who slept under our roof； and those who would have a dozen
miles of fog and mire to encounter on their road homewere all
together。 Need I say that Reginald was there？ He sat near memy
accepted lover； my plighted future husband。 We were to be married
in the spring。 My sisters were not far off； they； too； had found
eyes that sparkled and softened in meeting theirs； had found hearts
that beat responsive to their own。 And； in their cases； no rude
frost nipped the blossom ere it became the fruit； there was no
canker in their flowerets of young hope； no cloud in their sky。
Innocent and loving； they were beloved by men worthy of their
esteem。
The rooma large and lofty one； with an arched roofhad somewhat
of a somber character； from being wainscoted and ceiled with
polished black oak of a great age。 There were mirrors； and there
were pictures on the walls； and handsome furniture； and marble
chimney…pieces； and a gay Tournay carpet； but these merely appeared
as bright spots on the dark background of the Elizabethan woodwork。
Many lights were burning； but the blackness of the walls and roof
seemed absolutely to swallow up their rays； like the mouth of a
cavern。 A hundred candles could not have given that apartment the
cheerful lightness of a modern drawing room。 But the gloomy
richness of the panels matched well with the ruddy gleam from the
enormous wood…fire； in which； crackling and glowing； now lay the
mighty Yule log。 Quite a blood…red luster poured forth from the
fire； and quivered on the walls and the groined roof。 We had
gathered round the vast antique hearth in a wide circle。 The
quivering light of the 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 by the head
than any there； and full of high spirits and gayety。 I； too； was
in the highest spirits； never had my bosom felt lighter； and I
believe it was my mirth that gradually gained the rest； for I
recollect what a blithe； joyous company we seemed。 All save one。
Lady Speldhurst； dressed in gray silk and wearing a quaint head…
dress； sat in her armchair； facing the fire； very silent； with her
hands and her sharp chin propped on a sort of ivory…handled crutch
that she walked with （for she was lame）； peering at me with half…
shut eyes。 She was a little； spare old woman； with very keen；
delicate features of the French type。 Her gray silk dress； her
spotless lace； old…fashioned jewels； and prim neatness of array；
were well suited to the intelligence of her face； with its thin
lips； and eyes of a piercing black； undimmed by age。 Those eyes
made me uncomfortable； in spite of my gayety； as they followed my
every movement with curious scrutiny。 Still I was very merry and
gay； my sisters even wondered at my ever…ready mirth； which was
almost wild in its excess。 I have heard since then of the Scottish
belief that those doomed to some great calamity become fey； and are
never so disposed for merriment and laughter as just before the
blow falls。 If ever mortal was fey； then I was so on that 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 a vaguely disagreeable nature。 Others； too； noticed her
scrutiny of me； but set it down as a mere eccentricity of a person
always reputed whimsical； to say the least of it。
However； this disagreeable sensation lasted but a few moments。
After a short pause my aunt took her part in the conversation； and
we found ourselves listening to a weird legend； which the old lady
told exceedingly well。 One tale led to another。 Everyone was
called on in turn to contribute to the public entertainment； and
story after story； always relating to demonology and witchcraft；
succeeded。 It was Christmas； the season for such tales； and the
old room； with its dusky walls and pictures； and vaulted roof；
drinking up the light so greedily； seemed just fitted to give
effect to such legendary lore。 The huge logs crackled and burned
with glowing warmth； the blood…red glare of the Yule log flashed on
the faces of the listeners and narrator； on the portraits； and the
holly wreathed about their frames； and the upright old dame； in her
antiquated dress and trinkets； like one of the originals of the
pictures； stepped from the canvas to join our circle。 It threw a
shimmering luster of an ominously ruddy hue upon the oaken panels。
No wonder that the ghost and goblin stories had a new zest。 No
wonder that the blood of the more timid grew chill and curdled；
that their flesh crept； that their hearts beat irregularly； and the
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 from the darkling
corners of the old room。 By degrees my high spirits died out； and
I felt the childish tremors； long latent； long forgotten； coming
over me。 I followed each story with painful interest； I did not
ask myself if I believed the dismal tales。 I listened； and fear
grew upon methe blind； irrational fear of our nursery days。 I am
sure most of the other ladies present； young or middle…aged； were
affected by the circumstances under which these traditions were
heard； no less than by the wild and fantastic character of them。
But with them the impression would die out next morning； when the
bright sun should shine on the frosted boughs； and the rime on the
grass； and the scarlet berries and green spikelets of the holly；
and with mebut； ah！ what was to happen ere another day dawn？
Before we had made an end of this talk my father and the other
squires came in； and we ceased our ghost stories； ashamed to speak
of such matters before these new…comershard…headed； unimaginative
men； who had no sympathy with idle legends。 There was now a stir
and bustle。
Servants were handing round tea and coffee； and other refreshments。
Then there was a little music and singing。 I sang a duet with
Reginald； who had a fine voice and good musical skill。 I remember
that my singing was much praised； and indeed I was surprised at the
power and pathos of my own voice； doubtless due to my excited
nerves and mind