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　　BOOK XXIV.

　　LUCY AT THE 'TLES.

　　CHAPTER I.

　　NEXT morning, the recently appropriated room adjoining on the other side of the dining-room, presented a different aspect from that which met the eye of Delly upon first unlocking it with Pierre on the previous evening. Two squares of faded carpeting of different patterns, covered the middle of the floor, leaving, toward the surbase, a wide, blank margin around them. A small glass hung in the pier; beneath that, a little stand, with a foot or two of carpet before it. In one corner was a cot, neatly equipped with bedding. At the outer side of the cot, another strip of carpeting was placed. Lucy's delicate feet should not shiver on the naked floor.

　　Pierre, Isabel, and Delly were standing in the room; Isabel's eyes were fixed on the cot.

　　"I think it will be pretty cosy now," said Delly, palely glancing all round, and then adjusting the pillow anew.

　　"There is no warmth, though," said Isabel. "Pierre, there is no stove in the room. She will be very cold. The pipe—can we not send it this way?" And she looked more intently at him, than the question seemed to warrant.

　　"Let the pipe stay where it is, Isabel," said Pierre, answering her own pointed gaze. "The dining-room door can stand open. She never liked sleeping in a heated room. Let all be; it is well. Eh! but there is a grate here, I see. I will buy coals. Yes, yes—that can be easily done; a little fire of a morning—the expense will be nothing. Stay, we will have a little fire here now for a welcome. She shall always have fire."

　　"Better change the pipe, Pierre," said Isabel, "that will be permanent, and save the coals."

　　"It shall not be done, Isabel. Doth not that pipe and that warmth go into thy room? Shall I rob my wife, good Delly, even to benefit my most devoted and true-hearted cousin?"

　　"Oh! I should say not, sir; not at all," said Delly hysterically.

　　A triumphant fire flashed in Isabel's eye; her full bosom arched out; but she was silent.

　　"She may be here, now, at any moment, Isabel," said Pierre; "come, we will meet her in the dining-room; that is our reception-place, thou knowest."

　　So the three went into the dining-room. Pierre: Or， The Ambiguities