Here, the ladies did their best to soothe and reassure the trembling girl.

The effort proved to be useless; the impression that had been produced on the young and sensitive mind was not to be removed by persuasion.

Marian could give no explanation of the panic of terror that had seized her.
She was quite unable to say why the spot on the ceiling looked like the colour of a spot of blood.

She only knew that she should die of terror if she saw it again.

Under these circumstances, but one alternative was left.