"Do not be afraid.

I will go and open the door." Nellie was now too much frightened to resist.

Mrs.Goddard went out into the little passage which was dimly lighted by a hanging lamp, and closed the door of the drawing-room behind her.

She could hear Nellie's occasional convulsive sobs distinctly.

For one moment she paused, her right hand on the lock of the front door, her left hand pressed to her side, leaning against the wall of the passage.