The girl obeyed, and the young lady soon completed her toilet and went down stairs to join her aunt and uncle in the drawing-room. Dinner was soon afterward served. When that was over, the small party returned to the drawing-room, where Colonel de Crespigney wished to show his niece the new grand piano that he had selected for her. Here was also a music-stand supplied with the works of the great masters. He opened the piano and led her to it. She seated herself and touched the keys, and found the instrument to be one of very superior tone. She spent the remainder of the evening in playing and singing the favorite airs and songs of her uncle. Her voice was a pure, clear soprano, and her soul was always in her song. Hence, though she might never have achieved a grand success as a public singer, she was very effective as a parlor performer. At the close of this musical entertainment the small party separated and retired to bed. And so ended the day of Gloria’s return home. CHAPTER X MYSTERIOUS DANGER Something of a cold mistrust, Wonderful, and most unjust, Something of a surly fear Fills my soul when he is near. CAROLINE NORTON. Gloria did not carry out her intention of going to Sandy Isle on the next day to see her old friend, Granny Lindsay. The weather had changed in the night, and a week of steady rain set in. The small family were confined to the house, and had to find what amusement they could within doors. Colonel de Crespigney found occupation and entertainment enough in unpacking his books from the boxes in which they had been carefully put away to keep them safe from the workmen who were in the house, engaged in the work of restoration, during his absence in Europe with his ward. Gloria found interesting employment in turning over and inspecting the beautiful wardrobe she had brought over from London and Paris; and afterwards in rambling through all the rooms of the rejuvenated old house, to which she could scarcely become reconciled. “Oh, it is all very fine, I dare say, and it was very good of the colonel, and I ought to admire it very much, but it reminds me of the melancholy old ladies I have seen at public places, all painted up with rouge and pearl powder. The old house was more respectable and even more beautiful and artistic in its old aspect.” Miss de Crespigney engaged herself in preparations for her departure, for she was going South to spend the winter with her brother and sister-in-law, and had delayed her departure only to receive Colonel de Crespigney and Gloria on their return to Promontory Hall.