I forgot my hunger.

Had I stumbled upon one of my dreams at last? Had Romance suddenly
relented, as a coquette sometimes relents? For a space I knew not what
to do. Then, with a shrug--I have never been accused of lacking
courage--I tried once more, by the aid of a match, to locate a bell.
There was absolutely nothing; and the beating of my riding-crop on the
panels of that huge door would have been as noisy as a feather. I
grasped the knob and turned it impatiently. Behold! the door opened
without sound, and I stepped into the hallway, which was velvet black.

The wonderful voice went on. I paused, with hands outstretched.
Supposing I bumped into something! I took a step forward, another and
another; I swung my crop in a half-circle; all was vacancy, I took
another step, this time in the direction of the voice--and started back
with a smothered curse. Bang-ang! I had run into a suit of old armor,
the shield of which had clattered to the stone floor. As I have
observed, I am not a coward, but I had all I could do to keep my
legs--which were stirrup-weary, anyhow--from knocking under me!

Silence!

The song died. All over that great rambling structure not even the
reassuring chirp of a cricket! I stood perfectly still. What the
deuce should I do? Turn back? As I formed this question in my mind a
draft of wind slammed the door shut. I was in for it, sure enough; I
was positive that I could never find that door again. There was
nothing to do but wait, and wait with straining ears. Here were
mysterious inhabitants.--they might be revolutionists, conspirators,
counterfeiters.