loud noises in
the rooms below, succeeded by an irregular and confused number of
voices, and presently after, footsteps ascending the stairs which led to
her chamber. She trembled; a cold chilly sweat run down her face.
Directly the doors below opened and shut with a quick and violent
motion. And soon after she was convinced that she distinctly heard a
whispering in her room. She raised herself up in the bed and cast
inquisitive eyes towards her chamber door. All was darkness--no new
object was visible--no sound was heard, and she again lay down.

Her mind was too much agitated and alarmed to sleep. She had evidently
heard sounds, footsteps and voices in the house, and whisperings which
appeared to be in her room. The yard gate was locked, of which John had
the key. She was confident that no person could ascend or get over the
wall of the enclosure. But if that were practicable, how was it possible
that any human being could enter the house? She had the key of every
door, and they were all fast locked, and yet she had heard them
furiously open and shut. A thought darted into her mind,--was it not a
plan which her aunt had contrived in order to frighten her to a
compliance with her wishes? But then how could she enter the house
without keys? This might be done with the use of a false key. But from
whence did the whisperings proceed, which appeared close to her bedside?
Possibly it might be conveyed through the key-hole of her chamber door.
These thoughts tended in some degree, to allay her fears;--they were
possibilities, at least, however improbable.

As she lay thus musing, a hand, cold as the icy fingers of death,
grasped her arm, which lay on the outside of the bed clothes. She
screamed convulsively, and sprang up in the bed. Nothing was to be
seen--no noise was heard. She had not time to reflect. She flew out of
the bed, ran to the fire, and lighted a candle. Her heart beat rapidly.
She cast timid glances around the room, cautiously searching every
corner, and examining the door. All things were in the same state she
had left them when she went to bed. Her door was locked in the same
manner; no visible being was in the room except herself. She sat down,
pondering on these strange events. Was it not probable that she was
right in her first conjectures respecting their being the works of her
aunt, and effected by her agents and instrumentality? All were possible,
except the cold hand which had grasped her arm. Might