[CHAPTER VIII.]
A week elapsed, and there seemed but little prospect of the little prisoner's release from the haunted chambers of the ruined wing.
The Glenalvans' guest lingered on, fascinated, it appeared, by the attractions of the beautiful Elinor. At least Elinor stoutly maintained this fact in the privacy of the family circle, while Clare as obstinately persisted that Mr. Chesleigh was perfectly impartial in his attentions to both.
But however doubtful was Elinor's impression, the fact remained that he was pleased with his visit.
He consented by their urgent invitation to prolong his stay another week. The girls were jubilant over his decision.
Meanwhile, old Dinah watched her secluded nursling with unremitting vigilance. She could not remain with her all day, because her housekeeping duties took her constantly into the lower part of the house, but she visited her intermittently, and at night rolled herself in a thick counterpane and slept on the floor by the side of Golden's couch.
She took the added precaution to turn the rusty key in the lock at night.
Old Dinah had never heard the familiar adage that "love laughs at locksmiths."
She was ordinarily a very sound and healthy sleeper. The mere accident of a rheumatic attack, and consequent sleeplessness, had caused her appearance the night Mr. Chesleigh had entered the room.