My hand was on the banisters, my foot on the first step,
when below me and against the faint light that glimmered through the great
window on the landing I saw a bulky human form ascending, and a voice said
'Hush!' I staggered back, and at that instant fancied, with a thrill of
conviction, I heard Lady Knollys's voice in Uncle Silas' room.
I don't know how I entered the room; I was there like a ghost. I was
frightened at my own state.
Lady Knollys was not there--no one but Madame and my guardian.
I can never forget the look that Uncle Silas fixed on me as he cowered,
seemingly as appalled as I.
I think I must have looked like a phantom newly risen from the grave.
'What's that?--where do you come from?' whispered he.
'Death! death!' was my whispered answer, as I froze with terror where I
stood.
'What does she mean?--what does all this mean?' said Uncle Silas,
recovering wonderfully, and turning with a withering sneer on Madame. 'Do
you think it right to disobey my plain directions, and let her run about
the house at this hour?'
'Death! death! Oh, pray to God for you and me!' I whispered in the same
dreadful tones.
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