Little by little, the sound of the talking grew fainter.

The visitors, having arranged their plans of amusement for the day, were on their way out of the hotel.

In a minute or two, there was silence once more.
Henry turned to the window, thinking to relieve his mind by looking at the bright view over the canal.

He soon grew wearied of the familiar scene.

The morbid fascination which seems to be exercised by all horrible sights, drew him back again to the ghastly object on the floor.
Dream or reality, how had Agnes survived the sight of it?
As the question passed through his mind, he noticed for the first time something lying on the floor near the head.