"
"And you would let her be killed without interfering?"
"Oh, miss, all's over by this time!" persisted Sarah, with white lips
trembling.
"Then you are ready to go to bed with a murderer in the house?" said
Hester.
"He's done his business now, an' 'll go away."
"Give me the candle. I will go alone."
"You'll be murdered, miss--as sure's you're alive!"
Hester took the light from her, and went towards the coal-cellar. The
old woman sank on a chair.
I have already alluded to the subterranean portion of the house, which
extended under the great room. A long vault, corresponding to the
gallery above, led to these cellars. It was rather a frightful place to
go into in search of the source of a shriek. Its darkness was scarcely
affected by the candle she carried; it seemed only to blind herself. She
tried holding it above her head, and then she could see a little. The
black tunnel stretched on and on, like a tunnel in a feverish dream, a
long way before the cellars began to open from it. She advanced, I
cannot say fearless, but therefore only the more brave. She felt as if
leaving life and safety behind, but her imagination was not much awake,
and her mental condition made her almost inclined to welcome death.
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