She trembled from head to foot, but I cheered her to the best of my power, and at last she was in readiness to be lowered.

The window was at a considerable height from the ground; but the rope was a long one, and I had no fear of its reaching the bottom.
Fastening it round her waist, I began to lower her from the window.
"The night was a windy one, and she swung backwards and forwards as she went down.

By what chance it was I know not,--for I had examined the rope and found it secure--but methinks in swaying backwards and forwards it may have caught a sharp stone, maybe it was a punishment from Heaven upon me for robbing a father of his child--but suddenly I felt there was no longer a weight on my arms.

A fearful shriek rang through the air, and, looking out, I saw far below a white figure stretched senseless in the mud! "For a minute I stood paralyzed.

But the cry had aroused others, and, turning round, I saw a man at the door with a drawn sword.