But she stood for a moment hesitatingly.

Then she stooped to reach into her pocket while she daintily lifted the skirt of her gown with the other hand and from the pocket drew forth a great iron key.
"I brought this key, thinking that you might wish to unlock the gate--and come to--to this side.

I had great difficulty in taking it from the forester's closet, where it has been hanging for a hundred years or more." She showed John the key, returned it to her pocket, made a courtesy, and moved slowly away, walking backward.
"Mistress Vernon," cried John, "I beg you to let me have the key." "It is too late, now," said the girl, with downcast eyes.

"Darkness is rapidly falling, and I must return to the Hall." John began to climb the gate, but she stopped him.

He had thrown away his opportunity.
"Please do not follow me, Sir John," said she, still moving backward.