But suddenly I heard a low wailing cry in the room adjoining ours.

It so startled me that I came near dropping the lamp.

Strange and weird it sounded, gradually growing shriller and more terrible to hear! It was the voice of my stepmother.

Was she dreaming?
And had Rayel seen the vision that affrighted her?
Was that dagger pricking her brain?
In a moment the swelling cry broke into a sharp scream, such as might come from one exposed to sudden peril, and ceased.

Then the sound of a bell rang sharply through the house, followed by loud knocking at the door and a man's shout.
"Open the door, I command you!" he said.
He must have heard that piercing cry.