'In another moment you may be discovered,' said Marion. 'Not now!
Wait, if you can, in some concealment. I will come presently.'

He waved his hand to her, and was gone. 'Don't go to bed. Wait
here for me!' said Marion, hurriedly. 'I have been seeking to
speak to you for an hour past. Oh, be true to me!'

Eagerly seizing her bewildered hand, and pressing it with both her
own to her breast - an action more expressive, in its passion of
entreaty, than the most eloquent appeal in words, - Marion
withdrew; as the light of the returning lantern flashed into the
room.

'All still and peaceable. Nobody there. Fancy, I suppose,' said
Mr. Britain, as he locked and barred the door. 'One of the effects
of having a lively imagination. Halloa! Why, what's the matter?'

Clemency, who could not conceal the effects of her surprise and
concern, was sitting in a chair: pale, and trembling from head to
foot.

'Matter!' she repeated, chafing her hands and elbows, nervously,
and looking anywhere but at him. 'That's good in you, Britain,
that is! After going and frightening one out of one's life with
noises and lanterns, and I don't know what all. Matter! Oh, yes!'

'If you're frightened out of your life by a lantern, Clemmy,' said
Mr. Britain, composedly blowing it out and hanging it up again,
'that apparition's very soon got rid of. But you're as bold as