Hastily leaping from his couch, therefore, with a single bound he reached the door of his chamber, which, to his astonishment, he found entirely unfastened.
The movement was so sudden and so entirely unlooked-for, that the intruder was taken by surprise; and beheld, while the youth closed securely the entrance, the hope of escape entirely cut off.

Ralph advanced toward his visiter, the dim outline of whose person was visible upon the wall.

Lifting his arm as he approached, what was his astonishment to perceive the object of his assault sink before him upon the floor, while the pleading voice of a woman called upon him for mercy.
"Spare me, Mr.Colleton--spare me"-- she exclaimed, in undisguised terror.
"You here, Miss Munro, and at this hour of the night!" was the wondering inquiry, as he lifted her from the floor, her limbs, trembling with agitation, scarcely able to support even her slender form.
"Forgive me, sir, forgive me.

Think not ill of me, I pray you.

I come to save you,--indeed, Mr.Colleton, I do--and nothing, believe me, would have brought me here but the knowledge of your immediate danger." She felt the delicacy of her situation, and recognising her motive readily, we will do him the justice to say, Ralph felt it too in the assurance of her lips.