Inthisperversestateofmymind,therecollectionofwhathadpassedsincethemorningwouldnotcomebacktome,andtherewasnoresourcebuttoclosemyjournalandtogetawayfromitforalittlewhile。
Iopenedthedoorwhichledfrommybedroomintomysitting-room,andhavingpassedthrough,pulledittoagain,topreventanyaccidentincaseofdraughtwiththecandleleftonthedressing-table。Mysitting-roomwindowwaswideopen,andIleanedoutlistlesslytolookatthenight。
Itwasdarkandquiet。Neithermoonnorstarswerevisible。Therewasasmelllikeraininthestill,heavyair,andIputmyhandoutofthewindow。No。Therainwasonlythreatening,ithadnotcomeyet。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WomaninWhite:Chapter21[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter21Iremainedleaningonthewindow-sillfornearlyaquarterofanhour,lookingoutabsentlyintotheblackdarkness,andhearingnothing,exceptnowandthenthevoicesoftheservants,orthedistantsoundofaclosingdoor,inthelowerpartofthehouse。
JustasIwasturningawaywearilyfromthewindowtogobacktothebedroomandmakeasecondattempttocompletetheunfinishedentryinmyjournal,Ismelttheodouroftobacco-smokestealingtowardsmeontheheavynightair。ThenextmomentIsawatinyredsparkadvancingfromthefartherendofthehouseinthepitchdarkness。Iheardnofootsteps,andIcouldseenothingbutthespark。Ittravelledalonginthenight,passedthewindowatwhichIwasstanding,andstoppedoppositemybedroomwindow,insidewhichIhadleftthelightburningonthedressing-table。