Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. THE SOUND OF GALLOPING. A Rush of wind came in from the outer gloom and almost blew out the candle. Williams held up his hand to protect the flame and stepped aside from before the doorway. The wind was promptly followed by Elizabeth, who strode in with the air that a king might show on reentering one of his palaces, still holding her whip in her gloved hand. Behind her came Colden, the picture of moody dejection. When Cuff had entered with the portmanteaus, Williams, seeing but three horses without, closed the door, locked itr and looked with inquiry and bewilderment at Elizabeth. " Br-r-r-r ! " she ejaculated. " Light up my chamber, Molly, and have a fire in it; then make some hot tea, and get me something to eat." Elizabeth's impetuosity sent the open-mouthed maid flying up-stairs to execute the first part of the order, whereupon the mistress turned to the wondering steward. " I've come to spend a week at the manor-house, Williams. Cuff, take those to my room." The black boy, with the portmanteaus, followed in the way Molly had taken, but with less rapidity. By this time Williams had recovered somewhat from his surprise, and regained his voice and something of his stewardly manner. " I scarcely expected any of the family out from New York these times, miss. There —" " I suppose not! " Elizabeth broke in. " Have some one put away the horses, Williams, or they'll be shivering. It's mighty cold for the time of year." " I'll go myself, ma'am. There's only black Sam, you know, and he isn't back from the orchard. I sent him to get some apples." And the steward set the candlestick on the newel post of the stairway, and started for the door. " No, let Cuff go," said Elizabeth, sitting down on a settle that stood with its back to the side of...