But, after she had paused a few minutes, the consciousness of her duty returned, and she went on.

Still all was silent.

At length a track of blood, upon a stair, caught her eye; and instantly she perceived, that the wall and several other steps were stained.

She paused, again struggled to support herself, and the lamp almost fell from her trembling hand.

Still no sound was heard, no living being seemed to inhabit the turret; a thousand times she wished herself again in her chamber; dreaded to enquire farther--dreaded to encounter some horrible spectacle, and yet could not resolve, now that she was so near the termination of her efforts, to desist from them.