At once she felt almost a sense of fright, of terror.

The silence of these other gentlemen, so able to hold their peace, came to her mind with the impress of some mighty power.

She half shrank back into her chair.
"Madam, you have no need of fear," broke in the deep voice of the gentleman who had escorted her thither, and who now observed her perturbation.

"We shall not harm you--I think not even criticize you seriously.

Our wish is wholly for your own good." "Assuredly," resumed the first speaker.