This reply was repeated several times.
At last the answer came that the invalid was perfectly quiet, whereupon Marie decided not to inquire again for an hour.
Suddenly she heard the lad say, in a trembling voice:
"I am dreadfully frightened."
"What of?" whispered Marie.
"The gentleman lies so still. He has n't stirred for a long time."
"He is asleep, I dare say."
"If he were sleeping his breast would rise and fall; but he is perfectly still."
Marie rose, and hastened to the screen. The smoking wick in the night-lamp near Cambray's head illumined his ghastly face. Marie had already seen one such pallid countenance—that of the old servant Henry when he lay dead on his bier.
She shuddered, and retreated with trembling limbs, drawing the lad with her.