It was after two o'clock in the morning when she finished the second letter, and laid it in plain view beside the other.

She next removed her jewels and exchanged her rich costume for the simplest in her wardrobe, and having donned cloak and hat, extinguished the light, and softly unlocking the door, stepped into the hall.
Perfect silence reigned in the house.

As she stood listening the clock in the sitting-room struck three.

There was no time to lose.

The early summer dawn would soon arrive, and, before the first servants of neighbours were stirring she must be outside the grounds and well on her way.
There was a late risen moon, and enough light penetrated the house to enable her to make her way without difficulty.