"My picture to-night," said Emily, "tells of a scheme very dreadful in its motives as well as gloomy in its preparations for fulfilment; a vaulted roof is scarcely to be distinguished through the dark shades. A figure is walking through these gloomy passages, evidently seeking something; opposite him is a figure with a dark lantern in his hand, enveloped in a cloak." "Gunpowder treason and plot should never be forgot," exclaimed Alfred; following his ejaculation with a loud "Hurrah!" Papa's knock at the door interrupted the historical game for this evening, but mama promised to have them again on Monday evening during the dark hour; a season now as much looked forward to, as it was formerly dreaded. 1. Lady Jane Grey's accession announced to her. A.D. 1553. 2. Death of Latimer and Ridley. A.D. 1555. 3. Death of Rizzio. A.D. 1563. 4. Defeat of the "Spanish Armada." A.D. 1588. 5. Lord Cobham led to execution. A.D. 1602. 6. Gunpowder Plot. November 5th, 1605. CHAPTER IX. The next evening the children were agreeably surprised to hear their father knock at the door, just as they had arranged themselves ready for their favorite game. He was soon up stairs, and was warmly thanked for having returned so soon. "I have," said he, "suffered much from headache this evening, and I thought this cheerful group might do me more good than anything." "We must tell soft stories," said Alfred; "and as papa likes to hear you speak, mama, you had better begin." The little boy's motive was so thoughtful, that Mrs. Macdonald agreed; and called their attention to three persons, whom she represented standing in a doorway. The foremost appeared to have turned to speak to the friend who followed him; their deportment showed perfect ease and ignorance of the danger near them. The third in the group is a man of a melancholy but enthusiastic countenance: his arm is stretched over the figure next to him, and he has plunged a dagger into the breast of his companion. "This is a very dreadful story, mama. Was the wound fatal?" "Yes. It was a duke who was the victim. The whole was so instantaneous, that no one saw the blow. He pulled the knife from the wound, exclaiming, 'The villain has killed me;' and fell dead at Sir Thomas Fryer's feet." "That name ought to help us, aunt," said Edward. "I fear we are all very stupid; uncle, can you guess?" "I think your aunt has described the death of a court favorite, in the time of Charles I." "If you have, mama," said Mary, "the murderer's name was Felton; was it not?" "Yes, my dear, you are quite right; now, perhaps, you can entertain us."