butinvain，fortotteringtowardsachair，shesankintoit，lookingsodeadlypaleandhorror-struckthatIthoughteverymomentshewouldfaint。
’MercifulGod，keepusfromharmanddanger!’mutteredsheatlength。
’Whatcanhaveterrifiedyouso？’saidI，beginningtofearthatshehadseensomethingmorethanhadmetmyeye。’Youappearill，mypoorwoman!’
’Nothing，nothing，mylady，’saidshe，rising。’Ibegyourladyship’spardonformakingsobold。MaythegreatGoddefendusfrommisfortune!’
’Martha，’saidI，’somethingHASfrightenedyouverymuch，andIinsistonknowingwhatitis；yourkeepingmeinthedarkuponthesubjectwillmakememuchmoreuneasythananythingyoucouldtellme。I