The House by the Church-Yard

by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

The white figure turned the corner, and glided onward in a straight, swift line—straight and swift as fate—to the door of Doctor Sturk.

He knocked softly at the hall-door, and swiftly stepped in and shut it.

'How's your master?'

'Jist the same way, plaze yer honour; jist sleepin'—still sleepin'—sleepin' always,' answered the maid.

'Has the Dublin doctor come?'

'No.'

'The mistress—where's she?'

'In the room, Sir, with the masther.'

'Present my service to her—Mr. Dangerfield's compliments, you know—and say I await her permission to come up stairs.'

Presently the maid returned, with poor Mrs. Sturk's invitation to Mr. Dangerfield to walk up.