"In Heaven's name, madam, what do you mean by leading me into this corner?" "Oh, you are afraid, I see; but wait a moment." On saying which, I observed her to take something bright from her girdle, which apprehension converted into a stiletto or dirk, and such is the force of self-preservation, that I was on the point of tripping her up and throwing her on her back. But thrusting the supposed dirk against the wall--presto--open sesame--the wall gave way, and she drew me through a doorway. This was done so quickly it absolutely seemed magic. For an instant I thought of dropping her arm--indeed I should have done so, and retreated back through the door, but she held my arm tight, and I almost quaked, for I thought she had dragged me into a secret vault, the manoeuvre was performed so adroitly. The drifting cold fog, however, soon made it plain we were in no vault, but the open park. In short, it was a door in the wall, flush with the bricks, and painted so exactly like them, it was impossible for a stranger to discover it. It was Mr. Penn's private entrance, and saved the family a walk of some distance. A narrow green walk, not previously remarked, led from the door to the west end of the church. The housekeeper of a nobleman or gentleman of wealth, in England, generally enjoys an enviable situation. Intrusted with much that is valuable, she is generally a person of the highest consideration and respect, and seldom fails to acquire the elevated manners and refined address of her superiors. The lady in question was exactly one of this description, well educated, and well read; a magnificent library was at her command, and having much time, and what is better, fine taste, she had profited by it. Never was an evening passed in greater comfort, or with a more agreeable companion. After partaking of that most exhilarating of all beverages, the pure hyson, we began to chat with almost the same freedom as though we had been long acquainted. During a pause in the conversation, after looking in my face a moment, she said-- "Will you answer me one question?" "Most certainly, any thing, you choose to ask." "But will you answer it honestly and truly?" "Do not doubt it." "Well, then, tell me, were you not most horribly afraid when you saw me coming toward you in the church-yard?" "I do frankly confess, madam, I _was horribly_ afraid, and further, I firmly believe I should have taken to my heels, had you not been a very beautiful woman!" Before the sentence was well finished her laughter was irrepressible. "I _knew_ it, I _saw_ it, I _intended_ it," said she, laughing so heartily that the tears sprung out of her beautiful eyes, and she was obliged to use her handkerchief to wipe them away. "And do you feel no compunction for scaring a poor fellow half out of his wits?"