"'Go; for my sake try to be cordial.'
"She rose and led me unresistingly to the door of my room.
"'Good Heavens!' I groaned; 'this is awful.'
"'Courage, my darling!' she whispered. 'Be brave for love of me.'
"I drew her to me and kissed her. Beads of cold perspiration started in the roots of my hair, but I clenched my teeth and entered the room alone. The room was dark and I stood silent, not knowing where to turn, fearful lest I step on my aunt! Then, through the dreary silence, I called, 'Aunty!'
"A faint noise broke upon my ear, and my heart grew sick, but I strode into the darkness, calling, hoarsely:
"'Aunt Tabby! It is your nephew!'
"Again the faint sound. Something was stirring there among the shadows—a shape moving softly along the wall, a shade which glided by me, paused, wavered, and darted under the bed. Then I threw myself on the floor, profoundly moved, begging, imploring my aunt to come to me.
"'Aunty! Aunty!' I murmured. 'Your nephew is waiting to take you to his heart!'
"At last I saw my great-aunt's eyes shining in the dark."