, partly from a haughty contempt of the times in
which she lived, partly from her sense of family pride, had not permitted the
furniture to be altered or modernized during her residence at Glenallan House.
The most magnificent part of the decorations was a valuable collection of
pictures by the best masters, whose massive frames were somewhat tarnished by
time. In this particular also the gloomy taste of the family seemed to
predominate. There were some fine family portraits by Vandyke and other masters
of eminence; but the collection was richest in the Saints and Martyrdoms of
Domenichino, Velasquez, and Murillo, and other subjects of the same kind, which
had been selected in preference to landscapes or historical pieces. The manner
in which these awful, and sometimes disgusting, subjects were represented,
harmonized with the gloomy state of the apartments, - a circumstance which was
not altogether lost on the old man, as he traversed them under the guidance of
his quondam fellow-soldier. He was about to express some sentiment of this kind,
but Francie imposed silence on him by signs, and opening a door at the end of
the long picture-gallery, ushered him into a small antechamber hung with black.
Here they found the almoner, with his ear turned to a door opposite that by
which they entered, in the attitude of one who listens with attention, but is at
the same time afraid of being detected in the act.
    The old domestic and churchman started when they perceived each other. But
the almoner first recovered his recollection, and advancing towards Macraw,
said, under his breath, but with an authoritative tone, »How dare you approach
the Earl's apartment without knocking? and who is this stranger, or what has he
to do here? - Retire to the gallery, and wait for me there.«
    »It's impossible just now to attend your reverence,« answered Macraw,
raising his voice so as to be heard in the next room, being conscious that the
priest would not maintain the altercation within hearing of his patron, - »the
Earl's bell has rung.«
    He had scarce uttered the words, when it was rung again with greater
violence than before; and the ecclesiastic, perceiving further expostulation
impossible, lifted his finger at Macraw, with a menacing attitude, as he left
the apartment.
    »I tell'd ye sae,« said the Aberdeen man in a whisper to Edie, and then
proceeded to open the door near which they had observed the chaplain stationed.
 

                             Chapter Twenty-eighth

 --- This ring. -
 This little ring, with necromantic