But Harriet could see nothing. She said
that I frightened her, and shook her nerves, and took pleasure in doing
so; that I was the author of all our trouble, and she wished I would
drop the dreadful subject. She would have said much more, but that I
startled her by the vehemence of my interruption. I said that the day
was past when I would sacrifice my peace or my duty to her whims; and
she ventured no remonstrance when I announced that I intended to follow
the hand so long as it moved, and discover the meaning of the
apparition. I then flew downstairs and out into the garden, where it
still gleamed, and commenced a slow movement towards the gate. But my
flight had been observed, Nelly, by Robert, our old butler. I had
always been his favourite in the family, and since my grief, his humble
sympathy had only been second to that of Dr. Penn. I had noticed the
anxious watch he had kept over me since the trial, with a sort of sad
amusement. I afterwards learnt that all his fears had culminated to a
point when he saw me rush wildly from the house that night. He had
thought I was going to drown myself. He concealed his fears at the time,
however, and only said--
"What be the matter, Miss Dorothy?"
"Is that you, Robert?" I said.
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