第686页 / 共1118页

Lucy had just risen. She was endeavouring to collect her senses,

to separate the turbid visions of sleep from the remembrance of

the sad reality, which appeared to her a dismal dream, when the

old woman, in a voice which she meant to be humble and gentle,

said to her, "Ah! you have slept! You would have done better to

go to bed; I told you so a hundred times." Receiving no answer,

she continued, "Eat a little; you have need of something; if you

do not, he will complain of me when he returns."

"No, no, I wish to go to my mother. Your master promised me, he

said, to-morrow morning. Where is he?"

"He has gone away; but he left word that he would return soon,

and do all that you should desire."

"Did he say so? did he say so? Well; I wish to go to my mother,

now, now."

Suddenly they heard steps in the adjoining chamber, and a knock

at the door. The old woman demanded, "Who is there?"

"Open," replied the well-known voice.