CHAPTER XI.
MR. LI's WONDERFUL HOUSE.
But this state of things could not go on for ever. Mr. Crawford waitedin an agony of impatience; for every moment he expected one of the partyto turn round, and then he knew he would be discovered. Would the mannever be able to undo the door? It seemed an eternity to him, whilstthe bolts and bars were being withdrawn; and what a terrible noise theymade! He felt sure they would be heard, and--yes, one of the men talkingto Wang suddenly turned, started, and pointed in the direction in whichhe was standing. He gave himself up for lost; but at that very momentthe ground under his feet seemed to slide away--so suddenly, that hewould have fallen into the dark cavern had he not sprung quickly to oneside.
A dark head, adorned with a pigtail, appeared for a moment above ground.
"Quick! quick!" the man said, in Chinese, "I fear we are followed."
Mr. Crawford had hardly time to think, though, like lightning, thethought did cross his mind that Wang might have betrayed him; but even amoment's hesitation might have been fatal, and he sprang down into thedarkness. Not a minute too soon--as the trap door closed above him, hedistinctly heard voices and footsteps overhead. His fears of an ambush,however, and treachery in one direction were soon dispelled, for hishand was seized in an honest British clasp, and an English voiceexclaimed:--
"Mr. Crawford, I believe?"
"Yes; and you are--?"
"Paul St. John. You may have heard of me."
"Often," replied the younger man. "I am so glad to meet you."
"And I to meet you." And the two men grasped each other's hands.
"How is Miss Leicester?" asked Mr. Crawford, eagerly.
"Better," replied Mr. St. John, "but she is still very weak. Hernervous system has undergone a great shock, and it will be some timebefore she is quite herself again. In addition to the blow which shereceived, and the fright, there was a good deal of fever, and in thisclimate fever seems to have a tremendous grip on the constitution, andit is a long time before one recovers, even when one is young andstrong. She needs rest, but that, unfortunately, she cannot have, poorchild, as I gather that it would not be safe to remain here anothernight. I am thankful to say the fever has now gone; I must give her astrong cordial, and we must make the journey as easy as we can for her."
"I will carry her all the way," cried Mr. Crawford eagerly.
"I know you will do all you can," replied Mr. St. John, kindly. "Youwill be of the greatest possible assistance to us, and you will bringNina news of the Colonel; she has felt very much being the cause of somuch anxiety to him, and of course you know that worry always retardsrecovery. We will join the others now, and make our plans for instantremoval, if necessary."
"I fear it is necessary," said Mr. Crawford, gravely. "I'm very muchafraid those yellow fellows saw me. They were talking to Wang, and hetried to distract their attention, and succeeded to a certain extentadmirably; but I rather fancy they saw me and smelt a rat. Ah, here isWang; now we shall hear what he has to say."
The man appeared to be in the greatest state of excitement.
"They are coming, sir! All is lost; they will be upon us in less thanan hour. They saw you, sir," he said, turning to Mr. Crawford. "I wascertain of it, because I saw them exchange glances, and they saidnothing to me. They will not go into the secret entrance, because theymight think we should expect them there, but they will go to the gates."
"Are you quite sure that they saw Mr. Crawford?" asked Mr. St. John.
"Perfectly," replied Wang. "There is no time to lose. I know thesefellows so well; they were extra polite and friendly with me, when weparted, but I had my suspicions, and, to make it a certainty, I hid andwatched their movements after they left me. First they examined theplace where you disappeared, Mr. Crawford, and I heard them say it wouldbe impossible to force that, and we might expect them to do so, andprepare accordingly. I heard them say this, and saw them make their wayto the Hall, whither they were going to acquaint the others."
Paul St. John and Mr. Crawford looked grave and anxious; they were notacquainted with the secret passages, as were Lilian and Nina. Theyinstinctively turned to Mr. Li, who had not yet spoken. His dark,colourless face was as imperturbable as ever.
"There is no reason for so much terror," he said, quietly, turning toWang. "Have you seen that the gates are closed and barred?"
"Yes; but they will be over them like monkeys, and we shall all bekilled. I did not bargain for this; it has been very stupidly managed.I do not care to stay for the reward, as it is no use to me when I amdead. With your permission, gentlemen, I will make my way back to Pekinand acquaint the Colonel of the fate of his daughter."
"You will do nothing of the kind," said Mr. Li, sternly, looking atWang, whose white face and shaking hands betrayed his abject terror."You will remain with us, and make yourself as useful as you can. I maytell you, though you do not deserve it, that there is no need for suchexcessive alarm. Do you really think it likely that I would allowmyself to be caught like a rat in a hole, especially when I have twoladies under my charge?"
The man muttered a sulky rejoinder, but he seemed partially reassured;and there was that in Mr. Li which commanded respect and instantobedience.
"I do not mean to minimize the danger, of course," said Mr. Li, gravely,when the Chinaman had gone out to see that the entrance was made assecure as possible; "or to say that we run no risk, because that wouldnot be true, and I think the longer we remain here the greater risk werun. If we are ready, let us start at once."
"Stop," said Paul St. John. "There is one thing we have forgotten: mybrothers, let us pray."
When he rose, the light was on his face, as on the day when he had facedthe rioters at Chen-si.
"Now, my friend," he said, turning to Mr. Li, "I am quite ready, and Ithink I am expressing our universal wish when I say that it will be bestfor you to take command of our little expedition."
"I think it _will_ be best," said Mr. Li, "because I am so wellacquainted with the ground--and with the men also," he added, smiling."I have some influence over Wang. Mr. St. John, you and Mr. Crawfordwill go forward with the ladies. I will bring up the rear with Wang."
Very white, very fragile, looked Nina, very different from the laughinggirl who had left her father's house only a few days since. Mr. St.John had administered a cordial to her, and under its influence thefaintest tinge of colour was beginning to creep up into her pale cheeks.
She clung to him for support; Lilian Ross and Mr. Crawford supportingher on the other side. Mr. Li and Wang brought up the rear. Alert,calm, decisive, Mr. Li was evidently one of those born to command.
"They are coming," said Wang, beginning to tremble again, "swarming thegates like rats."
It was true; hideous yellow faces, with heavy pigtails and coarse blackhair, were already crowding the entrance, and in the course of a fewminutes they would be in the courtyard. There was nothing then toprevent their getting into the outer room in which Mr. Li and Wang werestanding. The others were in the inner room prepared to await hisorders.
At that moment the Chinese caught sight of Mr. Li and Wang, and afiendish smile of triumph lighted up their faces. Mr. Li also smiled.
"Not so fast, my friends," he said, quietly; and as the first man landedon the ground he gently pushed Wang in front of him through the doorleading into the inner apartment, and slid the bolt.
"That bolt will be no good, sir," said Wang; "they will force the doorin a few minutes, and we shall all be tortured and killed."
"I must beg of you to be silent," said Mr. Li, sternly. "If you wouldlike to join the party outside, there is still time to do so, but Ithink that you would probably prefer to remain with us."
Poor Wang protested most humbly that he had never meant anything by hiswords, and so great was his attachment to their persons that nothing inthe world would induce him to leave them.
"That being the case," said
Mr. Li, drily, "and your attachment to usbeing so great, you will do all in your power to help instead ofhindering us. I cannot have these ladies alarmed. Now see," he said,turning to Lilian and Nina, who had turned a shade whiter, for thoughthey placed unbounded confidence in Mr. Li, it was not pleasant to hearthe sounds in the outer room.
"Now see: I touch this button, and look at the result!" As he spoke hepressed a spring in the wall, and a huge sliding door shot right across,protecting the door through which they had passed, and which the Chinesewere forcing from the outer side.
As he spoke he pressed a spring in the wall.]
"I think," said Mr. Li, with a smile of triumph in his dark eyes, "theywill find it a little difficult to break through that door. Now let uscollect what we require for the journey."
"The packages are here," said Mr. St. John. "We have had them all placedin the corner of the room."
"That is well," replied Mr. Li. "Now we will continue our journey. Itwill take our friends some little time," he added, pleasantly, "to forcean entrance into this room, and I think they will be more than everpuzzled when they get here. You see these four doors," he said,pointing to one side of the apartment which seemed to be composedentirely of doors, "Which do you think is the one to be used? They areall dummies," he continued, after a pause, in which the doors had beentried and various opinions expressed: "but I fancy they will puzzle ourfriends. The real one is here."
He touched a spring which was wholly invisible to any but the mostpractised eye, and they found themselves in a kind of hall, the walls ofwhich were very lofty, the light entering by mere apologies for windows,let in close to the ceiling. There were low divans all round this hall,and Mr. Li begged them to be seated.
"We may as well rest here a few moments," he said, noticing Nina's whiteface. "We are safe for the present, at least."
At this moment Mr. Crawford crossed over to where Mr. Li was standing,and spoke in a low tone.
"I suppose," he said, "there is no danger from outside? I wonder theydo not try and effect an entrance from without."
"They would find it a little difficult," replied Mr. Li. "No cat couldclimb these walls, and only a cat could get in at the windows. No, thedanger does not lie here, but further on. From this room there is asubterranean passage about a quarter of a mile long, but unfortunatelyit has no communication with the rest of the house opposite; the exitbeing at the other end of the grove of plantains, under which it runs.I always intended to complete the work, but it has not been done, andthe consequence is, we must risk getting across twenty yards of opencountry. For men it would not be so difficult, but the care of twoladies complicates matters. We must hope and pray that the men will beso occupied with getting into the house that they will not think ofanything beyond. Still, we must prepare for emergencies. I shall leadthe way, for I must open the door of the other house. The lock is acomplicated one, and only I can turn the key. You and Mr. St. John willfollow with the ladies. It will be as well to acquaint Mr. St. Johnalso of the possible danger, without alarming the ladies. Ah, here heis."
"Brother," said Paul St. John, laying his hand on the other's arm, "whatfills me with wonder is your great ingenuity. Surely you must havetravelled a great deal, for I have never seen a house like this inChina."
"No," replied Mr. Li, smiling; "_I have_ travelled a great deal, and amvery cosmopolitan in my tastes. When I was a boy I used to pore overEastern tales of adventure, and I determined to build one of thosewonderful fairy palaces one reads of: a place of concealed doors,sliding panels, and underground passages."
"It is the dream of most children," said Mr. St. John, smiling, "butvery seldom realized. You have succeeded admirably."
"Not quite as well as I could wish, though." added Mr. Li; and he thentold Mr. St. John wherein the danger lay.
Paul St. John grasped his hand. His smile was as bright and radiant asbefore.
"Well, brother," he said, gently, "it shall all be well. You can saywith us now; 'For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'"
CHAPTER XII
"THEY WANDERED IN DENS AND CAVES OF THE EARTH"
It was quite a relief to be underground. The long, dark, narrow passageinfused a sense of safety and protection which they could not feel solong as there were doors, save the one by which they had entered, whichit was almost impossible for anyone but the most experienced expert todiscover, and there were no windows at all; no fear of seeing the cruelyellow faces pressed against the window panes, of hearing the savage,beast-like cries. Mr. Li walked on ahead, cool, calm, erect; a dignifiedfigure, moving along in the darkness, inspiring confidence and trust.Wang was slouching away but, without appearing to do so, Mr. Li kept himclose by his side, and he now carried the torch which lighted themthrough the darkness. Mrs. Ross followed with Mr. St. John; Nina andMr. Crawford bringing up the rear. Although the danger had been hiddenfrom the former, yet there are some things which it is quite impossibleto disguise. Without being told we guess at them, and in her weaknessshe turned intuitively to the strong man who had braved so much for hersake. She had clung at first to Uncle Paul, but Uncle Paul--she hadalways felt it--she felt it at the present moment, to her regret andshame--was a being too far above her ever to claim her entire sympathy.She loved him with all her heart and soul, she adored him, but she wassadly conscious of inferiority. She knew that she had given herself toChrist, that the whole bent and aim of her life would be different fromwhat it had been in the old, careless past, and yet she did not thinkshe could stand on the same plateau as Uncle Paul and Cicely, who seemedto be almost in heaven already, She had heard Mr. St. John's words; sheknew that death would be nothing to him, the gate to glory, to Christ;his face shone now with ineffable loveliness as he walked by LilianRoss's side, helped her over the broken places, and discoursed to her ofthe things of God.
But Nina wanted to live--the colour had crept back into her pale cheeks,her witching eyes were bright with suppressed excitement. She did notwish for death, but life.
"I cannot say yet," she said to herself, "to die is gain, but I cansay," she added softly, "for me to live is Christ."
Young Crawford did not talk to her much, he saw that her thoughts wereoccupied, and he had much to occupy his own; he had replied to that onelook of her dark eyes, a look which supplicated help and protection, andimplied perfect trust, by a few whispered words of reassurance, and hisexpression was so ardent, so brave, so fixed in its high and steadfastresolve, that it was impossible to feel fear when walking by his side.His blue eyes blazed in the darkness. If an army had been lead againsthim, he felt that he could face it, and yet be victorious.
"Nina," he said fervently--forgetting in the excitement of the momentthat he was using her Christian name--"Nina, do you recollect in thehistory of Elisha how he prayed that the young man's eyes might beopened, and how when they were he saw that the whole mountain was fullof chariots and horses. Do you know I feel like that young man, as ifthe Lord had opened my eyes; I believe that He will appear for us, thatin this place, grim and dark though it be, we are surrounded by myriadsof His angels for our protection."
"And yet," replied Nina, a little doubtfully, "God _does_ permitdreadful things sometimes to happen to His children."
"That is true," said young Crawford, "and that is one of the thingswhich will be explained one day, but I do not believe it will be soto-day. I cannot think that the Lord would have allowed me to have thisfeeling, which almost amounts to a revelation, for nothing. Be of goodcheer," he added, tenderly. "If a thousand men came against me, Ishould not fear; the Lord is on our side, and you shall never fall intotheir hands. Come, take my arm, you are not strong yet." He kept hissword arm free, but with the other he gathered her hand in his, andplaced it within his arm, and the support which this afforded her seemedto impart to him additional strength.
They had reached the egress now and held their breath. This was thecritical moment. When they opened the doo
r what would they see? Wouldthe way be clear or would they be caught like rats in a trap? In thatcase, unless deliverance came from some entirely unexpected source, theywould have to remain where they were until their provisions failed them,or they were discovered and overwhelmed by numbers; or they would haveto fight their way across the open space Three men, good and true, forthey could not reckon on Wang, to protect themselves and two helplesswomen! It was a terrible look out, and a deep, fervent prayer rose fromevery manly heart to God for His protection; Paul St. John, casting hiseyes on Lilian and Nina, and thinking of his absent wife and children,lifted up his great heart in supplication also--"Lord, if it bepossible, for the sake of these, and those absent who are dear to us,deliver us now; nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done."
"It's all right," said Mr. Li, looking cautiously out, "but there is nota moment to lose, I will go on at once; prepare to follow when you seeme reach the other side; close the door behind you and come quickly;Wang, you will keep close to me."
Without another word, he strode silently and rapidly across the openspace, all the time keeping one eye on Wang, and one on the distanttrees. Putting his hand in the inner pocket of his robe where he hadplaced the key for safety, he turned very white, for--the key was gone.Meanwhile the others had followed, he heard the door close gently behindthem, and now here they all were beside him, close to a place of safetywhich it was impossible to enter. It was indeed a terrible situation!They could not retreat, and they could not go on, and every momentincreased the danger. Mr. Li knew it was only a question of time. TheChinese might give up the search inside, come out into the grove, catchsight of them as they stood there, and do them to a cruel death. For aspace even Mr. Li's firmness seemed to be shaken.
"I know I put the key in this pocket," he exclaimed in a distractedtone; but on a sudden his face changed like lightning, and he sprang onWang, who stood there shivering like an aspen leaf. "You traitor, youhave robbed us," he cried. Mr. Li was transformed, his voice wasterrible, his expression relentless and stern as that of an avengingarchangel. Mrs. Ross turned white and Nina fainted right away and wouldhave fallen had not Mr. Crawford caught her with his left arm; in hisright hand he grasped his sword. With set teeth and blazing eyes hestood there ready to sell his life dearly. He beckoned to Paul St.John, who was endeavouring to encourage Mrs. Ross, and preparing todefend her.
In his right band he grasped his sword.]
"There is a chance of escape still, sir," he said. "You are amissionary, your life is of so much value, and then there are your wifeand children to think of: it would be possible to slip back, amongst thetrees, and take the ladies with you."
"And leave you to die, my brother," said Mr. St. John gently; "thatcannot be God's will, surely."
"I may not die," replied the young subaltern brightly. "I do not feelat all like death yet, I shall give them a lot of trouble, but it wouldhamper me to have Mrs. Ross and Miss Leicester here; how will they standthe sight of blood? They might even be wounded in the scuffle, and ifthe worst comes it would increase the bitterness of Death to know theywere in danger, to know I had died in vain."
"True," said Mr. St. John, tenderly; "then farewell until we meet againon earth or in the glory. Come, Nina darling," he whispered, gentlyraising the fainting girl and folding her in his arms.
"It is needless," put in Mr. Li. He spoke sharply and decisively; allthis time he had been occupied with Wang, and Wang had been protestingand blaspheming and swearing by all his gods.
"Now," said Mr. Li, and his voice sounded terrible in its sternness andsolemnity. "You know me, and I know that you have that key; I am notgoing to risk the lives of five innocent people; if you do not give upthe key you die. As surely as there is a God above us, so surely do Isend you to appear before Him." He drew a revolver from his pocket andheld it close to the man's eyes. "I give you exactly three minutes tomake up your mind; if at the end of that time you have not confessed, Ishall blow your brains out."
It is impossible to say whether Mr. Li would have carried out thisthreat. If he had attempted to do so, no doubt Mr. St. John would havethought it right to intervene, but Mr. Li knew his man, and before twominutes were up Wang was blubbering out that Mr. Li had dropped the key,and that he (Wang) had picked it up not knowing what key it was, andhere it was if Mr. Li wanted it so much, where he had placed it forsafety in his pig tail!
"You scoundrel," said Mr. Li, contemptuously. "I only wish I had thetime to give you the thrashing you deserve; even now," he said, as hetore the key out of the man's hair, "it may be too late the delay maycost us our lives." As he spoke he heard a noise behind him, and,looking round, they saw that their fears of discovery were realized.The enemy had come to the conclusion at last that the house was empty,and as they emerged from the wood, they caught sight of the little band,and uttered a scream of triumph. Young Crawford stood like a lion atbay, his noble head thrown back, his unsheathed sword grasped firmly inhis hand, his eyes shining as if they were on fire. Mr. St. John stoodbeside him, endeavouring to shield the two shrinking girls. Would thelock never turn? There was something peculiar about it, and it wasrusty--it seemed a century before it turned with an angry, raspingsound, but that sound was sweetest music in their ears.
"Quick, quick," cried out young Crawford in an agony of impatience, forhe saw that it was only a question of moments. The Chinese had quailedbefore his terrible expression; they had not cared to face him or hisgleaming sword. But what could one man do against so many? Theyprepared to spring. Meanwhile the half-fainting girls had been draggedinto the place of safety, and young Crawford stood on guard alone.
"Come, brother, come," shouted Mr. St. John. It was too late.Infuriated at the escape of their prey, the foremost men sprang acrossthe open space to where young Crawford stood. He was just in front ofthe open door, yet he could not enter--if he turned they would be uponhim and force an entrance also, if he fell back it would be the samething. "Close the door," he shouted out to Mr. Li. "Put your backagainst it," called out Mr. St. John. Mechanically he obeyed. Inch byinch, still with the point of his sword pointing at his foes, heretreated, until he stood with his back up against the door, prepared tosell his life as dearly as might be.
They did not hesitate long. With wild shrieks like those of a famishedwolf, they rushed upon him: but he was an expert in the art of fencing.He knew how to parry and thrust, he had the swordsman's quick eye andmobile hand and arm. The end would be the same of course, but theirswould not be an easy victory. The minutes passed and still he held themat bay; they rushed at him, but he shook them off as some noble animalshakes off the dogs that are worrying him to death. Not many that camewithin the sweep of that terrible sword returned again to the attack.Three times he thrust them back, and still he stood there unharmed, savefor a slight flesh wound in his forehead from which the blood trickleddown his face. But he felt that the end was near, his breath came ingreat throbbing gasps, his sword cleaved to his hand, his heart labouredpainfully; he fell backwards, down, down, down into the darkness, andthought that he was dead and that an angel bent over him, but theangel's eyes were suffused with tears and bore a curious resemblance toNina's. "He will do now," someone said; and then he fell asleep, themost delicious sleep he had ever experienced in his life. When he awokeNina and Mr. St. John sat by his side.
"Wherever am I?" he cried, rubbing his eyes. "I thought they had donefor me; how good God has been," he said, looking at Nina, "but I cannotthink now how I got here. You see," he went on, turning again to Nina,with a bright, sweet smile, "I was right after all, God _did_ deliver,only _He_ could have done so, for I was in a terrible plight, andthought it was all over. I never expected to see any of you again," hecontinued a little sadly, for he was weakened by exertion and the greatstrain of mind and body he had undergone.
"Dear Lord, we thank Thee for Thy great goodness to us," said Mr. St.John, reverently kneeling beside the rude couch on which young Crawfordlay. A fervent Amen burst from the l
ips of all present. Nina wascrying quietly, she was very weak still, and this last strain had provedalmost too much for her overwrought nerves. Mrs. Ross sat beside her,and held her hand fast locked in hers. Mr. Li stood there, calm anddignified as ever, but there was a very kind, pleased look about hisdark eyes.
In answer to young Crawford's query, he smiled, "You will be greatlysurprised when I tell you," he said, "and think it more of an ArabianNight than ever. I told Mr. St. John to tell you to stand with yourback against the door because there was a false panel there. When I hadgot the ladies well into the house, I returned to watch the situationthrough a spy-hole, which I also have near the door. I was obliged to becareful, for I did not wish to run the risk of getting any of ourfriends in also. I saw you beat them back three times, and I alsomarked that your strength was failing, and that they paused for aninstant for the final onslaught; it was the decisive moment, and aminute's hesitation would have been fatal. As you swooned I slid thepanel and dragged you in--not a moment too soon. In fact I had barelytime to replace the bolt before they were upon it. Indeed I did securea trophy," and he held up a portion of a Chinese robe.
Young Crawford looked at Mr. Li admiringly. "You have a wonderful mind,"he said, "a marvellous power of organization. What a splendid leaderyou would make!"
"To God be all the praise," replied Mr. Li, humbly, "it is He whocreated and directed."
"Where is our friend, Wang," asked Mr. Crawford, smiling.
"He managed to get away in the rush," replied Mr. Li, "but I do notthink he will be able to do much harm, indeed I think we are well quitof him."
"Are we quite safe now?" asked Mrs. Ross of Mr. Li.
"Yes, I think so," he replied, smiling. "This is a very wonderfulhouse, if you will not think me vainglorious for saying so, and theegress is well out of Pekin. I shall be able to secure provisions, andget messages, I hope, into Pekin, and by easy stages to conduct you toWei-hai-wei. At any rate you may rest in safety here for a time."
"Rest and peace," said Mr. St. John, gently, "what a gracious God oursis, giving His children just what they require. 'He that dwelleth inthe secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of theAlmighty.'"
"Uncle," said Nina, "I wish you would sing a verse of that lovely hymnyou and Aunt Christine sang to us in the garden at Chen-si; it washearing you sing that hymn that made me long to lead the new life. Ithought it would be so nice to rest under the shadow of His wings."
"And have you not found it so, dear child?"
"Yes," she replied, softly, "I have; there _is_ rest and peace under theshadow of His wings. Sing for us now, dear uncle, that we may rest."
"I will, if you will all join with me in the refrain."
In the shadow of His wings, There is peace, sweet peace; Peace that passeth understanding, Peace, sweet peace that knows no ending, There is rest, sweet rest; There is peace, sweet peace, There is joy, glad joy, In the shadow of His wings!
* * * * *
One more scene, a few months later, at the old Rectory belonging to Mrs.St. John's father. It was Christmas time--that sweet season when,because of the love of Christ, the coldest heart warms, the mostunforgiving relents and forgives.
The rambling old Rectory was bright with sweet faces and glad youngvoices. Mr. and Mrs. St. John, Cicely, Rachel, and the boys were there,only one little flower was missing, especially cherished in her mother'sheart, the little one that had been with God so many months now. Cicelyhad grown much in the last few months, her eyes were deeper still--shewas very near the stream which can never be recrossed, where the childand the woman meet. Colonel Leicester and Nina were also there, Captainand Mrs. Ross, and Mr. Li. The latter had been baptized, and had madegiant strides in the spiritual life. "What splendid Christians theseChinese make!" exclaimed Paul St. John more than once.
There was one visitor still to come. Mr. Crawford had begged to beallowed to join the party, at any rate for a few hours, and they couldnot do less than offer him hospitality. It was Christmas Eve, and thechiming of the bells floated sweetly to them through the frosty air.Cicely and Nina, arm in arm, were on the terrace, listening to thebells. There was also a sound of carriage wheels which Nina did notappear to hear.
"Are they not sweet?" said Nina to Mrs. Ross, who had joined them.
"Yes, but do you know, Nina," Lilian Ross replied archly, and almost ina whisper, "I think I hear something else besides, a long way off,perhaps--but still I think I hear besides--the sound of wedding bells."
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