Next he discovered close to him on his right an open door into a dim space, and knew that he was looking into the great hall.

Opposite the door glimmered the large bay window of which Mrs.Rees had spoken.
There was now a point to be ascertained ere he could determine at which of the two gates he should attempt his exit--a question which, up to the said point, he had thoroughly considered on his way.
The stables opened upon the pitched court, and in that court was the main entrance: naturally that was the one to be used.

But in front of it was a great flight of steps, the whole depth of the ditch, with the marble gate at the foot of them; and not knowing the carriageway, he feared both suspicion and loss of time, where a single moment might be all that divided failure from success.

Also at this gate were a double portcullis and drawbridge, the working of whose machinery took time, and of all things a quick execution was essential, seeing that at any moment sleeping suspicion might awake, and find enough to keep her so.

At the other gate there was but one portcullis and no drawbridge, while from it he perfectly knew the way to the brick gate.