Bessy felt ice form in the marrow of her bones.

The darkness was tangible; it seemed to envelop her in heavy folds.

The sudden natural impulse to fly out of the thick creeping gloom, down the stairway to the light, strung her muscles for instant action, but checked by the swiftly following thought of her purpose, they relaxed, and she took not a backward step.
"Rose did her part and I'll do mine," she cogitated.

"I've got to save them.

But what to do--I may have to wait.