She groped for the latch of the last, and found it, but, with her hand on
it, paused. In order to summon up her courage, she strove to hear again
the cries of misery and to see again the haggard eyes which had driven
her hither. And if she did not wholly succeed, other reflections came to
her aid. This storm, which covered all smaller noises, and opened, now
and again, God's lantern for her use, did it not prove that He was on her
side, and that she might count on His protection? The thought at least
was timely, and with a better heart she gathered her wits. Waiting until
the thunder burst over her head, she opened the door, slid within it, and
closed it. She would fain have left it ajar, that in case of need she
might escape the more easily. But the wind, which beat into the passage
through the open window, rendered the precaution too perilous.
She went forward two paces into the room, and as the roll of the thunder
died away she stooped forward and listened with painful intensity for the
sound of Count Hannibal's breathing. But the window was open, and the
hiss of the rain persisted; she could hear nothing through it, and
fearfully she took another step forward. The window should be before
her; the bed in the corner to the left. But nothing of either could she
make out.
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