"I will lie down, but I shall not be able to sleep. Put my musket at the head of my bed."
Elise took the gun down from the wall, examined it carefully to make sure that it was in perfect order, and then leaned it against the bed.
Then they both lay down.
Zudár kept conversing for a long time with Elise in the darkness, and assuring her that he should never go to sleep—nevertheless, suddenly, there was a deep silence, followed presently by a deep, thunderous snore, only interrupted from time to time by cries of terror, as if the sleeper were tormented by evil dreams, and at such times he would fling himself violently against the sides of the bed.
The child did not sleep. Resting on her elbows she lay there listening and gazing steadily into the vision-haunted darkness.
Presently it seemed to her also as if a large concourse of people was moving backwards and forwards along the wall outside, and a great deal of whispering appeared to come from the kitchen.
Suddenly she heard a soft knocking at the door, and the voice of Dame Zudár inquired:
"I say, Betsey! is your father asleep?"
"Yes," stammered the little girl.
"Some people have come hither from Kassa, they don't understand German, come out and speak to them!"