The pavement had long since
disappeared, and was replaced by a rank growth of grass and weeds,
amongst which lay scattered such monumental remains as had survived the
general destruction. Only one window of the house happened to look out
in this direction. I could see a light shining through the blind, and,
with a touch, drew Irene's attention to it.
"Do not alarm yourself with vain fears," she whispered; "it is only Mr.
Maitland's dressing-room. All will be quiet soon!" As she spoke, the
light was suddenly extinguished.
Only then did I realise the full horrors of my position. When that
bed-room candle went out, the last link which bound me to civilization
seemed to have snapped. I was at the mercy of an enthusiast who had
broken loose from all those conventional trammels which I hold in such
respect. Although I had the greatest admiration for Irene, nothing would
have surprised me less than if my murdered remains had been found next
morning half hidden in the dank grass of the ruined chapel.
We were standing in the deep shadow of the old wall. The silence was
intense. Indeed, after Irene's injunctions, I hardly dared breathe for
fear of drawing down some misfortune on my devoted head. Not that I
quite believed anything was going to happen, only it was best to be on
the safe side. Suddenly the stillness was broken by the distant sound of
the stable clock striking twelve.
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