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82 - THE LADY PILGRIM. 
turned in hither to avail myself, for a few hours, 
of your hospitality." 
" While the master of the castle lives," blandly 
replied the earl, " any hour which the Duke of 
Devonshire may choose for his visits will not 
prove ill timed or unwelcome." 
The duke bowed, as if grateful for the honor 
shown him by his distinguished host ; then, sinking 
upon an old and curiously-carved divan, which 
occupied a prominent position in the room, he 
began to dally with his plume, and converse in his 
most insinuating style. 
The servant closed the door upon his master 
and guest, and then turned to kennel the hounds, 
which were left in the yard. 
He fastened the dogs in their enclosme, and then 
sat down again on the steps of the eastern porch, 
to wait a summons to his master. The bright sun 
wheeled its broad disk from behind the eastern 
hills, and travelled higher and higher on his way 
towards the zenith. All nature was apparently re- 
joicing in a day well begun. For two or three 
long hours the old steward sat and looked out 
upon the scene spread before him. A low mur- 
mur, as of two engaged in an absorbing conversa- 
tion, came to him from the room of his master. 
At length, as impatience began to take possession 
of him, he heard his master's well-known step ap- 
proaching the door. He aroused himself quickly, 
to attend the summons which he felt sure awaited 
^ 
