Susan stealthily raised herself upon her elbow, looked at him.

There was neither horror nor fear in her haggard face but only eagerness to be sure he would not awaken.

She, inch by inch, more softly than a cat, climbed over the low footboard, was standing on the floor.

One silent step at a time, with eyes never from his face so clear in the moonlight, she made her way toward the door.

The snoring stopped--and her heart stopped with it.