Lights, moving in the dormitory, announced that prayers were over, and the pupils going to bed.

Another half-hour and all doors would be locked--all lights extinguished.

The front door yet stood open, to admit into the heated house the coolness of the summer night; from the portress's cabinet close by shone a lamp, showing the long vestibule with the two-leaved drawing-room doors on one side, the great street-door closing the vista.
All at once, quick rang the bell--quick, but not loud--a cautious tinkle--a sort of warning metal whisper.

Rosine darted from her cabinet and ran to open.

The person she admitted stood with her two minutes in parley: there seemed a demur, a delay.