It was well, perhaps, that I
did so on this occasion, for otherwise I should scarcely have had nerve
enough to avoid the sure and speedy detection which must have followed
the slightest delay or noise made in returning.
I lingered to reconnoitre some minutes on the platform before I ventured
to commence the wary descent of the broad, carpeted stairway. I had
convinced myself that the second story was empty, though a lighted lamp
swung in the upper entry, as well as in that below, throwing a flood of
radiance on the scene with which I would fain have dispensed.
I heard the sound of voices from the closed parlors, and saw reposing
on the rack before me several hats and canes, indicative of visitors.
From the study, however, there fortunately came no murmur, and I found
that it was dark. The front-door stood invitingly open; I could see the
opposite lamp-post without, and I had made up my mind to dart on and
downward, and reach at a bound the pavement, when the door of the first
parlor was suddenly thrown back, and left so, by a servant coming out
with a tray of wines and fruits which he had been evidently handing, and
I had just time to shrink into shadow, favored in my wish for
concealment by the black dress and veil I wore, when a once familiar
form appeared in the door-way of the front hall, which I recognized at a
glance as that of Gregory.
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