’It was rats,’ said Trampleasure; ’women are cowards about noises.’ ’What has this to do with my impromptu musical instrument?’ asked Captain Trecarrel. ’This,’ answered Orange; ’whenever there is any great misfortune about to befall those in the house, a sound is heard going through it such as that you proposed to make. What is singular is that one of the walking-sticks that goes with the house has some such a musical instrument in the handle.’ ’Who is supposed to walk and pipe woe to the house?’ asked the Captain. ’That red man hanging on the wall behind you.’ Every one turned to look at the picture. ’He appears harmless enough,’ said Trecarrel. ’Has any one heard his music?’ ’None of us have,’ answered Orange; ’but it has been heard by others before we came here.’ ’It is a strange story,’ said Trecarrel. ’It reminds me of the tenure of Tresmarro, not far from here. There the house is let with a human skull. The farmer there, not liking the object, buried it; but noises of all sorts, voices, knockings, tramplings, heard at night, made the place unbearable, so he dug up the skull and restored it to its niche in the apple chamber, where it stands now, and then the disturbance ceased.’ ’Come, never mind about the ghosts,’ shouted old Tramplara, ’we want music;’ and he drew his bow across the bass viol, making the room resound. Captain Trecarrei drew his chair beside Mirelle. Orange saw this, and said, ’Captain, to your post of duty. I want you to turn over the leaves whilst I play.’ A look of annoyance came over his face; he rose, and took his place by the piano. The concert began. The flute was out of tune, the bass viol roared and drowned the piano. Mirelle shuddered, and drew back against the wall. ’Are you fond of music?’ asked Herring, during a pause. ’Of music, yes. Of noise, no.’ ’Countess,’ said he in an undertone, ’before I leave allow me to ask of you a favour. I go to-morrow, and perhaps shall not see you again. ’Most probably not.’ ’It pains me to see you thus left with uncongenial surroundings. Your position here may become unendurable. Should you, at any time, need help, and you think I can give you assistance, do not fail to summon me.’ ’You are very good to make me the offer, but I am hardly likely to make use of it. I shall not remain in this house a moment longer than I am obliged. I have another guardian living at Avranches. As we passed through the place, on our way to England, my father called on him. When he is ready to receive me I will go to him, and leave England for ever.’ ’But suppose he declines to act.’ ’He cannot decline. My father saw him at Avranches.’ ’We will hope for the best. But on the chance of your desiring independent advice, will you take and keep my card? My address is on it—that is, the address from which letters will be forwarded to me.’