I heard one door after another shut, and then sat waiting and wondering why Richard did not come, till the moments seemed to grow to centuries.

At last I heard him at the door, and I went toward it trembling, and followed him into the hall.

He carried a light, for up-stairs it was all dark, and when we reached the stairway, he took my hand to lead me.

I was trembling very much; the hall below was dimly lit by a large lamp which had been turned low.

Our steps on the bare staircase made so much noise, though we tried to move so silently.