There was one, but
the idea of ever seeing her again was so unspeakably dreadful,
that she would rather have seen the most horrible spectre her
imagination could conjure up, than that tall, graceful,
rich-robed form.
Still the noises perseveringly continued; there was the sound of
withdrawing bolts, and then a pale ray of moonlight shot between
the parted curtains, shoving the shutters had been opened.
Whiter and whiter Leoline grew, and she felt herself growing cold
and rigid with mortal fear. Softly the window was raised, a hand
stole in and parted the curtains, and a pale face and two great
dark eyes wandered slowly round the room, and rested at last on
her, standing, like a galvanized corpse, as far from the window
as the wall would permit. The hand was lifted in a warning
gesture, as if to enforce silence; the window was raised still
higher, a figure, lithe and agile as a cat, sprang lightly into
the room, and standing with his back to her, re-closed the
shutters, re-shut the window, and re-drew the curtains, before
taking the trouble to turn round.
This discreet little manoeuvre, which showed her visitor was
human, and gifted with human prudence, re-assured Leoline a
little; and, to judge by the reverse of the medal, the nocturnal
intruder was nothing very formidable after all.
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