“‘Come away,’ indeed! Not much! I am going down these stairs to see what is at the bottom. You can stay here until I come back, but I cannot leave you the candle, you know,” obstinately replied the stubborn girl.
In vain Gloria sought to dissuade her from her purpose. She was as stubborn and intractable as a young mule, and she began to go down the ladder.
Gloria, seeing her so determined, had no other alternative but to follow her willful guide.
A foul air, impregnated with must and mould and dampness, met them. They could scarcely breathe, the candle could scarcely burn in the impure, oppressive atmosphere.
“Oh, if you would only not persist,” moaned Gloria, as holding on to the sides of the ladder, she groped her way down after her conductor.
“But I must persist,” replied Philippa, who had now reached the bottom.
With some danger and difficulty Gloria descended the ladder and stood by her side.
The feeble rays of the candle showed but a small circle of light just around them. All beyond was utter darkness.
Suddenly Gloria grasped the arm of her companion and shuddered.
“What’s the matter?” demanded Philippa.