Taking the locket out he examined a ring which lay in one side , and the childish face which smiled on him from the other . His eyes filled as he locked and put it by , saying tenderly , `` Dear little heart ! I 'll not forget or desert her whatever happens . Time must help me , and to time I must leave my work . One more attempt and then I 'm off . '' * * * * * `` I 'll go to bed now , Hester ; but while you get my things ready I 'll take a turn in the corridor . The air will refresh me . '' As she spoke , Lady Trevlyn drew her wrapper about her and paced softly down the long hall lighted only by fitful gleams of moonlight and the ruddy glow of the fire . At the far end was the state chamber , never used now , and never visited except by Hester , who occasionally went in to dust and air it , and my lady , who always passed the anniversary of Sir Richard 's death alone there . 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 XXXXX , adding , as she pointed to the door , `` There , there , the light shines underneath .
Hester Richard Trevlyn air day fire gleams locket table woman