But the
man was sleeping so soundly that it seemed a pity to awake him
for a trifle; and, after all, there could be no great harm or
indiscretion in his entering to see if his bride was safe.
Probably Leoline was asleep, and would know nothing about it; or,
even were she wide awake, and watchful, she was altogether too
sensible a girl to be displeased at his anxiety about her. If
she were still awake, and waiting for day-dawn, he resolved to
remain with her and keep her from feeling lonesome until that
time came - if she were asleep, he would steal out softly again,
and keep guard at her door until morning.
Full of these praiseworthy resolutions, he tried the handle of
the door, half expecting to find it locked, and himself obliged
to effect an entrance through the window; but no, it yielded to
his touch, and he went in. Hall and staircase were intensely
dark, but he knew his way without a pilot this time, and steered
clear of all shoals and quicksands, through the hall and up the
stairs.
The door of the lighted room - Leoline's room - lay wide open,
and he paused on the threshold to reconnoitre. He had gone
softly for fear of startling her, and now, with the same tender
caution, he glanced round the room.
Pages:
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273