"Of course you know that is all nonsense, little one," he said, reassuringly. "There are no ghosts in Glenalvan Hall. It is only foolish and superstitious people who believe that silly tale. Golden, would you be willing to remain secluded in those haunted rooms for one week, or for whatever number of days John Glenalvan's expected guest shall remain?" The breath came a little faster over the beautiful, parted lips. "I am almost afraid," she sighed. "Oh, grandpa, why should they wish to hide me away like a criminal? I have done nothing." "I know that, dear. It is a heartless whim of those heartless people. They do not wish their guest to see you, or even to know of your existence. Do not mind them, pet. Perhaps they are jealous and fear that he might fall in love with you. That would never do, because they mean to marry him to Elinor and prop the fallen fortunes of the Glenalvans. You will humor their fancy, won't you, Golden?" The pansy-blue eyes flashed with resentful fire. "Why should I humor them?" she cried. "They are hard and cold to me. Why should I shut myself up in prison, away from the sunshine, and the flowers and the birds in those gloomy, haunted chambers for their sake?" "It is for _my_ sake, darling," he replied. "I have promised them that you will do it for me. Will you not do so, Golden?" "I am afraid of the haunted rooms, grandpa," said the child, with a shiver. "Not in the daylight I hope," he said. "No, not in the daytime," she replied. "Old Dinah could sleep in your room at night, Golden. So, you see, there could be nothing to fear. My little darling, I have loved you and cared for you all your life, and I have never asked you for a sacrifice before. Will you make this concession for my sake?" The beautiful girl clasped her white arms round his neck, and kissed his withered cheek. "I cannot refuse if it is for your sake, grandpa," she said. "You have been father, mother, friends and home to me all my life! I have had no one but you, grandpa, and I love you too dearly to grieve you. I will do as you wish me." He kissed her and thanked her many times. "You must believe that it hurts me as much as it does you, my pet," he said, "but it will not be for long--and John is so violent, I had to promise for the sake of peace. I hope you will never regret this sweet yielding to my will." "I am sure I shall not," said the child-like girl, but she gave an unconscious shudder. His hands rested, as if in blessing, on her hair. He whispered, inaudibly: "God bless my hapless daughter's child." CHAPTER III. Glenalvan Hall, like all old family mansions belonging to old and respectable families, had its reputed ghost. It was currently reported that three rooms in the upper story were haunted by the spirit of a fair young girl who had once inhabited them, and who had pined away and died for love of a handsome man who had not known of her love nor reciprocated it.