Not receiving a reply, Mrs. Ulrica tore aside the bed curtains, and extending her hand, placed it upon a strange head of hair.
"Heavens!" she exclaimed, "that is not my husband!"
"What of that, it is the husband of another," replied a calm voice.
Terror prevented Mrs. Ulrica from crying aloud. "A thief!" she gasped.
"I do not think so," replied the voice.
"Who are you then?" stammered she.
"Sleep quietly, you shall not be disturbed."
Mistress Ulrica continued to feel for the bell cord. "I believe," said she, "he wishes to murder me when I am asleep."
"Sleep quietly, I neither wish to steal nor to murder. I only wish to—"
The unfortunate cramp, which at her first terror had attacked Mrs. Ulrica's throat, now suddenly disappeared, and she emitted a long and loud scream; but no sooner had this been accomplished, than a large brawny hand was placed roughly over her mouth.