She felt that she was not fit, not ready, for it now.

If she could only have more time to prepare herself, and then could come again.

But it was too late to draw back.
Dr.Hull had arranged three chairs across the broad doorway between the back and front parlours, and facing the former.

He asked Miss Ludington to occupy the middle chair, and, trembling in every limb, she did so.
Paul took the chair by her side, the other being apparently for Dr.Hull.
The elfish little girl, whom they called Alta, and who appeared to be the daughter of Mrs.Legrand, meanwhile took her place at a piano standing in the front parlour.
All being now ready, Dr.Hull proceeded to turn the gas in the two parlours very low.

The jets in both rooms were controlled by a stop-cock in the wall by the side of the doorway between them.