At any rate I will leave the door open, and then you will hear what happens.

If I am obliged to return, do you hurry on before me back by the way we came.

In that case I will return to my room where you must wait outside till the side door is opened again, and if you are found there leave the explanation to me .-- Shrink back, quite into that corner." She softly opened the door into the kitchen; the roof was open to the light of the declining moon and myriad stars.

The room was quite empty: only a cat lay on a bench by the wide hearth, and a few bats flitted to and fro on noiseless wings; a few live coals still glowed among the ashes under the spits, like the eyes of lurking beasts of prey.

Paula coughed gently, and immediately heard Hiram's step behind her; then, with a beating heart and agonizing fears, she proceeded on her way.
First down a few steps, then through a dark passage, where the bats in their unswerving flight shot by close to her head.