He then got through the broken pane, and dropped down outside.

Eric followed with some little difficulty, for the aperture would only just admit his passage; and Duncan, going back to the study, anxiously awaited their return.
It was a bright moonlight night, and the autumn air was pleasant and cool.

But Eric's first thought, as he dropped on to the ground, was one of shame that he should suffer his new friend, a mere child, so easily to tempt him into disobedience and sin.

He had hardly thought till then of what their errand was to be, but now his couldn't help so strongly disapproving of it, that he was half-inclined to turn back.

He did not, however, dare to suggest this, lest Wildney should charge him with cowardice, and betray it to the rest.