outlines of the housetops when Janina
awoke from her torpor and gazed about the room. She felt fully
determined, so she sprang up from her chair and, driven on by some
thought that lit up her eyes with a strange fire, walked quietly to
the door and opened it. But the noisy click of the latch which she
closed after her penetrated her with such a strange, sharp fear that
she reeled back against the frame of the door and breathed heavily
for a few moments. Finally, she quietly pulled off her shoes and
boldly, but with the utmost caution, passed through the hall and
entered a large room adjoining the kitchen which was used as a
dining room and a workroom in the day time and as a sleeping room
for Mme. Anna's apprentices at night. The close and heavy air of the
room almost suffocated Janina. With outstretched hands and bated
breath, she stole toward the kitchen so slowly that those minutes
seemed an eternity to her. At moments, she paused and, overcoming
her trembling that awful trembling listened to the loud breathing
and snoring of those sleeping there and then went on again, setting
her teeth with a desperate strength. Large drops of perspiration
rolled down her forehead from exertion and fear and her heart beat
so slowly and painfully that she almost felt the pulsation of it in
her throat. The kitchen door was open and Janina passed through it
like a shadow, but she stumbled against the bed of the servant-girl,
which stood very near the door. She grew numb with fear and for a
long time stood motionless and breathless, almost in a state of
suspended animation, gazing with terrified eyes at the bed whose dim
outlines she could scarcely make out in the darkness. But finally,
rallying all her strength and courage, she walked boldly to the
shelf upon which stood various kitchen utensils and supplies and
felt one after another with the greatest caution, until finally, her
hand rested upon a flat oblong bottle containing essence of vinegar.
She had seen it here a few hours ago and now, having found it, she
snatched it up so violently from among the other articles that a tin
cover fell with a crash upon the floor. Janina unconsciously bent
her head in terror, for the clash of the falling cover resounded
with such a tremendous echo in her brain that it seemed as though
the whole world were crashing down on her.

"Who's there?" called the servant, awakened by the noise. "Who's
there?" she repeated in a louder voice.

"It is I .