第68部分(第5/7 页)
mb and still。
“All men must die;” said a voice quite close at hand; “but all are not condemned to meet a lingering and premature doom; such as yours would be if you perished here of want。”
“Who or what speaks?” I asked; terrified at the unexpected sound; and incapable now of deriving from any occurrence a hope of aid。 A form was near—what form; the pitch…dark night and my enfeebled vision prevented me from distinguishing。 With a loud long knock; the new…er appealed to the door。
“Is it you; Mr。 St。 John?” cried Hannah。
“Yes—yes; open quickly。”
“Well; how wet and cold you must be; such a wild night as it is! e in—your sisters are quite uneasy about you; and I believe there are bad folks about。 There has been a beggar…woman—I declare she is not gone yet!—laid down there。 Get up! for shame! Move off; I say!”
“Hush; Hannah! I have a word to say to the woman。 You have done your duty in excluding; now let me do mine in admitting her。 I was near; and listened to both you and her。 I think this is a peculiar case—I must at least examine into it。 Young woman; rise; and pass before me into the house。”
With difficulty I obeyed him。 Presently I stood within that clean; bright kitchen—on the very hearth—trembling; sickening; conscious of an aspect in the last degree ghastly; wild; and weather…beaten。 The two ladies; their brother; Mr。 St。 John; the old servant; were all gazing at me。
“St。 John; who is it?” I heard one ask。
“I cannot tell: I found her at the door;” was the reply。
“She does look white;” said Hannah。
“As white as clay or death;” was responded。 “She will fall: let her sit。”
And indeed my head swam: I dropped; but a chair received me。 I still possessed my senses; though just now I could not
本章未完,点击下一页继续。