Sometimes she would read a paper twice over; sometimes a whisper no louder
than the ticking of a watch, sometimes a brief chuckle under her breath,
bespoke the interest with which here and there a letter or a memorandum was
read.
For about half an hour, I think, this went on; but at the time it seemed to
me all but interminable. On a sudden she raised her head and listened for a
moment, replaced the papers deftly, closed the desk without noise, except
for the tiny click of the lock, extinguished the candle, and rustled
stealthily out of the room, leaving in the darkness the malign and hag-like
face on which the candle had just shone still floating filmy in the dark.
Why did I remain silent and motionless while such an outrage was being
committed? If, instead of being a very nervous girl, preoccupied with
an undefinable terror of that wicked woman, I had possessed courage and
presence of mind, I dare say I might have given an alarm, and escaped from
the room without the slightest risk. But so it was; I could no more stir
than the bird who, cowering under its ivy, sees the white owl sailing back
and forward under its predatory cruise.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179