Hark! That's a curious
noise!'
'Noise!' repeated Clemency.
'A footstep outside. Somebody dropping from the wall, it sounded
like,' said Britain. 'Are they all abed up-stairs?'
'Yes, all abed by this time,' she replied.
'Didn't you hear anything?'
'No.'
They both listened, but heard nothing.
'I tell you what,' said Benjamin, taking down a lantern. 'I'll
have a look round, before I go to bed myself, for satisfaction's
sake. Undo the door while I light this, Clemmy.'
Clemency complied briskly; but observed as she did so, that he
would only have his walk for his pains, that it was all his fancy,
and so forth. Mr. Britain said 'very likely;' but sallied out,
nevertheless, armed with the poker, and casting the light of the
lantern far and near in all directions.
'It's as quiet as a churchyard,' said Clemency, looking after him;
'and almost as ghostly too!'
Glancing back into the kitchen, she cried fearfully, as a light
figure stole into her view, 'What's that!'
'Hush!' said Marion in an agitated whisper. 'You have always loved
me, have you not!'
'Loved you, child! You may be sure I have.'
'I am sure. And I may trust you, may I not? There is no one else
just now, in whom I CAN trust.'
'Yes,' said Clemency, with all her heart.
'There is some one out there,' pointing to the door, 'whom I must
see, and speak with, to-night.
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