I sat down in the chair, and stretched my legs wearily. Twenty-four hours before I had sat straining my ears in the Witch's Tower of Launceston Castle, and now I was immured in a far more lonely spot. I had asked no questions because I believed that the woman I loved rode by my side. Had I done right? A distant rumbling noise reached me. Where was I? To whom did this house belong? By what right had I been brought here? I heard a knock at the door, and a second later an old man entered. "If you will follow me, sir, you shall have change of raiment, and water to wash with." Like one in a dream I followed him, and to my astonishment I found in an adjoining compartment not only clothes but arms. A sword hung by the wall, a pair of pistols lay on a table. The clothes were well made and of good quality as befitted a gentleman. "Here is all you will want, I think, sir. When you have washed and dressed will you be pleased to go back to the other room?" A few minutes later I had removed the muddy-stained garments which I had worn in Launceston Castle, and had clothed myself in those which lay in the room. They looked quite new, as though they had just come from the hands of a tailor. They fitted me well, too; and I must confess to a feeling of pleasure as I beheld myself. When I returned to the room into which I had at first entered, I found that the table had been spread for food, but no one was in it. Again I sat down and tried to think, but my mind seemed a blank--I was dazed with the experiences of the last twenty-four hours. Presently my heart beat fast, for I heard light tripping footsteps outside the room door. This was followed by gentle knocking. "Come in." The door opened, and to my joy Mistress Nancy Molesworth entered. She met me with a smile, but there was, I thought, something distant and repellant about it. "Food will be immediately brought, Master Trevanion," she said. "I am sure you must need it." "I need something more," I replied. "And that?" was the response. "Anything in my power to give, you shall have." "The removal of mystery," I replied. "I have spent the whole of this day like one in a dream. I seem to be enveloped in shadows." "I have much to tell you by and by," she answered. "And much to ask, too, I trust," I cried. "You have saved me from I know not what; for I know it is you to whom I owe everything. You will let me serve you, for verily you need service." "We will talk of many things at the proper time," she replied, "but food is being brought." Both of us stood silent while the old serving-man brought food; then when he had gone she turned to leave me. "Mistress Molesworth," I said, "you will not condemn me to eat my food alone. May I be honoured with your company at supper?" She hesitated a second. "Thank you," she said, "you will desire quiet after so much excitement. I will return to you to-morrow."