She came back shading it with her shaky hands; and, committing her soul to the care of Heaven, she crept quaking up the stairs.

Then she heard voices above, and that restored her more; she mounted more steadily.

Presently she stopped, for a heavy step was coming down.

It did not sound like a woman's step.

It came further down; she turned to fly.
"Jacintha!" said a deep voice, that in this stone cylinder rang like thunder from a tomb.
"Oh! saints and angels save me!" yelled Jacintha; and fell on her knees, and hid her head for security; and down went her candlestick clattering on the stone.
"Don't be a fool!" said the iron voice.