The calm and the quiet were refreshing after the excitement of the day.

Gradually her thoughts became confused--dim pictures floated past her mental vision, her breathing became shorter, and she slept.

The stillness was unbroken, save the clock striking the quarters of every hour.

Scarcely had the last quarter to midnight sounded, when the window was softly opened, and a dark form descended into the room.

He listened a moment, looking at the sleeping one, who moved not; then extinguished the light, creeping toward the door.