Consequently it was full two feet deep, though it looked scarce one.
All was quiet.

Margaret kneeled and gave thanks to Heaven.

Then she glided from the door and leaned over the chest, and whispered tenderly, "Gerard!" Gerard did not reply.
She then whispered a little louder, "Gerard, all is safe, thank Heaven! You may rise; but oh! be cautious!" Gerard made no reply.
She laid her hand upon his shoulder--"Gerard!" No reply.
"Oh, what is this ?" she cried, and her hands ran wildly over his face and his bosom.

She took him by the shoulders; she shook him; she lifted him; but he escaped from her trembling hands, and fell back, not like a man, but like a body.

A great dread fell on her.