And the last moments are passing.
She can hear Papa shuffling about the outer room, and she knows that Franz has gone to bring the Priest. The right time is very near; but Stanhope—
She has not seen Mamma since morning. She has not heard her rasping voice, nor her heavy step in the outer room. But the minutes are going fast; Franz will be back soon.
And Stanhope—O, God, where is Stanhope?
Again she bows her head upon her arms and utters a low moan.
“Oh, if he should fail me! If he should fail me!”
In the outer room, Papa’s restlessness increases. He vibrates constantly now between the window and the door.
The curtain is drawn up to the low ceiling; the entire window is bare and stares out upon the street like a watchful eye.
And now Papa turns suddenly from the door, closes it, and hastens to the window; looks out once again to reassure himself, and then, rising on tiptoe, draws down the dark curtain. He measures the window with a glance, lowering the curtain slowly and stopping it half way down.
It is a signal, prearranged by Mamma, and it tells that approaching personage that the way is clear, that Franz is absent.