The gallery was very dark , and she seldom went farther than the last window in her restless walks , but as she now approached she was startled to see a streak of yellow light under the door . She kept the key herself and neither she nor Hester had been there that day . A cold shiver passed over her for , as she looked , the shadow of a foot darkened the light for a moment and vanished as if someone had noiselessly passed . Obeying a sudden impulse , my lady sprang forward and tried to open the door . It was locked , but as her hand turned the silver knob a sound as if a drawer softly closed met her ear . She stooped to the keyhole but it was dark , a key evidently being in the lock . She drew back and flew to her room , snatched the key from her dressing table , and , bidding Hester follow , returned to the hall . `` What is it , my lady ? '' cried the woman , alarmed at the agitation of her mistress . `` A light , a sound , a shadow in the state chamber . Come quick ! '' cried Lady Trevlyn , adding , as she pointed to the door , `` There , there , the light shines underneath . Do you see it ? '' `` No , my lady , it 's dark , '' returned Hester . It was , but never pausing my lady thrust in the key , and to her surprise it turned , the door flew open , and the dim , still room was before them . Hester boldly entered , and while her mistress slowly followed , she searched the room , looking behind the tall screen by the hearth , up the wide chimney , in the great wardrobe , and under the ebony cabinet , where all the relics of Sir Richard were kept . Nothing appeared , not even a mouse , and Hester turned to my lady with an air of relief . But her mistress pointed to the bed shrouded in dark velvet hangings , and whispered breathlessly , `` You forgot to look there . '' Hester had not forgotten , but in spite of her courage and good sense she shrank a little from looking at the spot where she had last seen her master 's dead face . She believed the light and sound to be phantoms of my lady 's distempered fancy , and searched merely to satisfy her .
The mystery of Sir Richard 's death still haunted the minds of all who remembered it , and even XXXXX felt a superstitious dread of that room .
Hester Richard Trevlyn agitation day hangings key lock phantoms sense