Then she grew ashamed of her own happiness, and came into sight again. Hurst was apparently asleep then. His eyes were closed; but low murmurs broke from him, now and then, as if he were toiling through some dream. The girl bent her head to listen. The hunger of a loving heart made her insatiable.
"Here—here with me! Then all is well! Dreams haunt one: but what are dreams? Her hand was on my mouth. I felt her breath. No harm has come to her. Yet, and yet—dreams all!"
Here the young man fell into deeper unconsciousness, and his murmurs ceased almost entirely.
Some minutes passed, and then the door was swiftly opened, and Mrs. Hipple glided through.
"My lady! my lady! They are here, mounting the terrace."
Lady Rose heard the loud whisper, and fled from the room.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A FATHER'S MISGIVING.
A FIGURE crouched low in the darkness of that narrow passage, listening at the door, and shrinking with shudders when a groan broke through the ill-fitted panels. There was some confusion in the room beyond, voices, and guarded footsteps, quick orders given, then dull, dead silence, and a sharp scream of agony.