"Rather, my lady."
They had reached the tunnel. It looked very black when he opened the door, but there was just a glimmer through the trees at the other end.
"This is the valley of the shadow of death," she said. "Do I walk straight through?"
"Yes, my lady. You will soon come out in the light again," he said.
"Are there no steps to fall down?" she asked.
"None, my lady. But I will go first, if you wish."
"No, that would but cut off the little light I have," she said. "Come beside me."
They passed through in silence, save for the rustle of her dress and the dull echo that haunted their steps. In a few moments they came out among the trees, but both continued silent. The still, thoughtful moon-night seemed to press them close together, but neither knew that the other felt the same.
They reached a point in the road where another step would bring them in sight of the house.
"You cannot go wrong now, my lady," said Malcolm. "If you please I will go no farther."