Not inclined to get a light, she partly undressed and sat on the bed, where she remained in pained thought for some time, possibly an hour.

Then rising to close her door previously to fully unrobing, she saw a streak of light shining across the landing.

Her father's door was shut, and he could be heard snoring regularly.

The light came from Stephen's room, and the slight sounds also coming thence emphatically denoted what he was doing.

In the perfect silence she could hear the closing of a lid and the clicking of a lock,--he was fastening his hat-box.