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All this was in a second. As the smoke cleared, leaving an awful

stillness, it passed out on the air, like the soul of the furious

woman whose body lay lifeless on the ground.

In the first fright and horror of her situation, Miss Pross

passed the body as far from it as she could, and ran down the

stairs to call for fruitless help. Happily, she bethought herself

of the consequences of what she did, in time to check herself and

go back. It was dreadful to go in at the door again; but, she did

go in, and even went near it, to get the bonnet and other things

that she must wear. These she put on, out on the staircase, first

shutting and locking the door and taking away the key. She then

sat down on the stairs a few moments to breathe and to cry, and

then got up and hurried away.