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 Madame Fleury seemed inclined to sit up to a late hour, which Madeline perceiving, she pleaded fatigue, and begged permission to retire to her chamber. Madame Fleury instantly rising, took up a light, and said she would conduct her to it. Madeline followed her down the hall, at the bottom of which was a folding door, that on being opened, discovered a spacious stair-case.—"This appears to be a very large house," said Madeline, as ascending the stairs, she beheld numerous passages and doors.

"Oh, quite a wilderness of a house (replied Madame Fleury); I am sometimes a year without seeing half the apartments."

"I wonder you are not afraid to live in it (said Madeline), without more servants."

"Why all the valuable things were removed from it on the desertion of its master, so that prevents my having many fears; besides, I take good care to see all the doors secured before I go to bed."