The girl laughed sardonically. "Of course people 'of intelligence and refinement' are all and always honest and true. You should know Belial! He taught me to read. I taught myself everything else. I have read Homer, Danté, Milton, and Shakespeare. But now you are tired; you look so. Lie down on my bed of moss and rest, and I will cover you up warm."
"Thank you, I will do so," answered Sybil, gladly stretching her wearied limbs upon the soft couch.
Her wild hostess covered her carefully, and then left her, saying:
"Sleep in peace, lady, for here you are perfectly safe."
CHAPTER II.
WHAT WAS SOUGHT, AND WHAT WAS FOUND.
| They sought her that night, and they sought her next day, |
| They sought her in vain till a week passed away. |
| The highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot, |
| Her husband sought wildly, but found her not.—The Mistletoe Bough. |
When Lyon Berners and his faithful servant returned to the Haunted Chapel, after having comfortably disposed of their horses for the rest of the night, the interior was still so dark that they did not at first discover the absence of Sybil, especially as the covering lay heaped upon the mattress so like a sleeping form, that even in a less murky darkness it might have been mistaken for her.
As it was now very cold, Mr. Berners, who had found a tinder-box and a coil of wax tapers among his other effects in the wagon, struck a light, with the intention of kindling a fire.