The Broad Highway

"You are mad!" she cried.

"Let me open the door, Charmian."

"No, no--I say no!"

"Whoever it was must not escape--open the door!"

"Never! never--I tell you--death is outside--there's murder in

the very air; I feel it--and--dear God--the door has no bolt."

"They are gone now--whoever they were," said I reassuringly; "the

danger is over--if danger it could be called."

"Danger!" cried Charmian. "I tell you--it was death."

"Yet, after all, it may have been only some homeless wanderer."

"Then why that deadly, silent caution?"

"True!" said I, becoming thoughtful.

"Bring the table, Peter, and set it across the door."

"Surely the table is too light to--"

"But it will give sufficient warning--not that I shall sleep

again to-night. Oh, Peter! had I not been dreaming, and happened

to wake--had I not chanced to look towards the door, it would

have opened--wide, and then--oh, horrible!"

"You were dreaming?"

"A hateful, hateful dream, and awoke in terror, and, being

afraid, glanced towards the door, and saw it opening--and now

--bring the table, Peter."

Now, groping about, my hand encountered one of the candles, and

taking out my tinder-box, all unthinking, I lighted it.

Charmian was leaning against the door, clad in a flowing white

garment--a garment that was wonderfully stitched--all dainty

frills and laces, with here and there a bow of blue riband,

disposed, it would seem, by the hand of chance, and yet most

wonderfully. And up from this foam of laces her shoulders rose,

white, and soft, and dimpled, sweeping up in noble lines to the

smooth round column of her throat. But as I stared at all this

loveliness she gave a sudden gasp, and stooped her head, and

crossed her hands upon her bosom, while up over the snow of

shoulder, over neck and cheek and brow ebbed that warm, crimson

tide; and I could only gaze and gaze--till, with a movement swift

and light, she crossed to that betraying candle and, stooping,

blew out the light.

Then I set the table across the door, having done which I stood

looking towards where she yet stood.

"Charmian," said I.

"Yes, Peter."

"To-morrow--"

"Yes, Peter?"

"I will make a bar to hold the door."

"Yes, Peter."

"Two bars would be better, perhaps?"

"Yes, Peter."

"You would feel safe, then--safer than ever?"

"Safer than ever, Peter."