In a moment the others heard it too, and starting to the steps, stood still, and waited breathlessly.

He had no lantern, for we could have seen that; he was almost at the steps before I could recognize him.
It was Richard.

I gave a smothered cry, and springing forward, held out my hands to stop him.
"Tell me what has happened." He put aside my hands, and went past me without a second look.
"There has nothing happened, but what he can tell you when he comes," he said, as he strode past me up the steps, and on into the house.

Then he was alive to tell me: the reaction was a little too strong for me, and I sat down on the steps to try and recover myself, for I was ill and giddy.
In a few moments more, more steps sounded in the distance, this time slowly, several persons coming together.

I started and ran up the steps, I don't exactly know why, and stood behind the others, who were crowding down, servants and all, to hear what was the news.