They all looked at her , for she was pale , and her merriment unnatural ; so , feeling she had excited curiosity , she gratified it by narrating her night 's adventure . Hoffman looked much concerned . `` Pardon , mademoiselle , the door should have been bolted on this side . It usually is , but that room being unused , it was forgotten . I remembered it , and having risen early , crept up to make sure that you did not come upon this ugly thing unexpectedly . But I was too late , it seems ; you have suffered , to my sorrow . '' `` Dear Nell , and that was why I found you so pale and cold and quiet , sitting by me when I woke , guarding me faithfully as you promised you would . How brave and kind you were ! '' `` Villain ! I should much like to fire your own pistols at you for this prank of yours . '' And Casimer laughingly filliped the image on its absurdly aquiline nose . `` What in the name of common sense is this goblin here for ? '' demanded the major , testily . `` There is a legend that once the owner of the chateau amused himself by decoying travellers here , putting them to sleep in that room , and by various devices alluring them thither . Here , one step beyond the threshold of the door , was a trap , down which the unfortunates were precipitated to the dungeon at the bottom of the tower , there to die and be cast into the lake through a water-gate , still to be seen . Severin keeps this flattering likeness of the rascal , as he does the monk above , to amuse visitors by daylight , not at night , mademoiselle . '' And Hoffman looked wrathfully at the image , as if he would much enjoy sending it down the trap . `` How ridiculous ! I shall not go about this place alone , for fear of lighting upon some horror of this sort . I 've had enough ; come away into the garden ; it 's full of roses , and we may have as many as we like . ''
As she spoke Amy involuntarily put out her hand for XXXXX to lead her down the steep stone steps , and he pressed the little hand with a tender look which caused it to be hastily withdrawn .
Casimer Hoffman Nell Severin Villain daylight fire goblin night water-gate