“Ah!” he said suddenly, “you would make me an angel and worship me as such, but I am a fiend. Do not try to know too much; be happy—you can be happy, but knowledge would be your death-blow.” She sat quite still and did not speak another word. In the distance she heard a child’s laughter. “Hark to the young cock sparrow—he has recovered,” said Adrian; “nothing depresses him long, and nothing can crush him.” CHAPTER XI. THE QUEEN ANNE WING AND GARDEN. Nancy lay long awake that night. Her husband slept soundly by her side, but sleep seemed determined not to visit her; she was agitated, alarmed, depressed. All the glory of that summer moon through which she had lived had faded not only into autumn, but into winter. What were Adrian’s secrets? Why was he cruel to his own sister? What was the mystery which hung over him? The burden Nance had herself to carry was quite sufficiently heavy to daunt most women, but just at present she seemed to have laid it aside. All her thoughts were for Adrian. She loved him more deeply, more passionately than ever, but she found herself not only anxious but curious. What did he mean by those dark hints? Where she found him angel, why did other people think of him as fiend? Towards morning the tired girl fell asleep. She slept until late, and awoke to find a snow-covered world, but much comfort around her. A fire had already been lighted in her room and her maid, Hester, was waiting to attend on her. “Is it late?” asked Mrs. Rowton, starting up in bed. “Yes, ma’am,” said the girl, speaking in a certain prim, respectful voice, which was rather aggravating to listen to: “it is nine o’clock, but Mr. Rowton said you were not to be disturbed. Would you like breakfast before you get up, ma’am?” “No, indeed,” replied Nance. “I don’t think I ever breakfasted in bed in my life; I will get up now if you will leave me, please.” The girl raised her brows in some slight surprise. “Just as you please, ma’am,” she said. “I have left everything in perfect order in your dressing-room, and when you ring the bell I shall be ready to arrange your hair.” Nancy said nothing more and the girl retired. “Why is it I don’t take to her?” thought Mrs. Rowton; “she seems a good girl, clever and obliging, but she gives me an uncomfortable sensation. Well, I need not keep her if she is not quite to my taste, and she certainly need not trouble me now.” Nance dressed herself quickly and ran downstairs. She did not ring for Hester to arrange her hair. Her spirits rose as she dressed, and when she entered the room where she and her husband had dined the night before, she felt full of excitement and interest. Rowton had promised to take her over the house, and she was all agog to explore her new home without delay. The servant who waited upon her told her that his master had breakfasted nearly two hours ago; that he and Master Murray were out, but would be in before long. Nancy had scarcely finished her meal before they appeared.