Katherine then took leave of her uncle, and hurried towards Mr. Tracy's residence.
She reached her destination as the clock struck nine, and entered the house as usual, by the back way.
She proceeded to the kitchen, where, to her surprise, she observed Mrs. Kenrick sitting in her arm-chair, but apparently fast asleep. The old housekeeper's arms reposed upon the table, and formed a support for her head which had fallen forwards.
"Strange!" thought Katherine; "this is the first time I have known her sleep thus."
The young maiden moved lightly about the kitchen, while she threw off her bonnet and cloak, for fear of awaking the housekeeper.
Then she sate down near the fire, and fell into a profound reverie concerning the strange tale which her uncle had told her.
Presently it struck her that she did not hear the housekeeper breathe; and an awful suspicion rushed like a torrent into her mind.
For some moments she sate, motionless and almost breathless, in her chair, with her eyes fixed upon the inclined form of the housekeeper.
"My God!" at length Kate exclaimed; "she does not breathe—she does not move;—and her hands—oh! how pale they are!"
Then, overcoming her terror, the young maiden bent down her head so as to obtain a glimpse of Mrs. Kenrick's countenance.