Yet the hard-breathing silence that followed was almost more terrible still.
Out of it arose old Dimsdale, wiping his forehead with a shaking hand.
"He didn't hurt your ladyship ?" he questioned anxiously.
But she could not take her eyes from the motionless figure upon the floor or answer him.
He drew nearer.

"My lady," he said, "come away from here!" But Anne never stirred.
He laid a very humble hand upon her arm.

"Let me take you downstairs," he urged gently.

"There's a friend there waiting for your ladyship--a friend as will understand." "A--friend ?" She turned her head stiffly, her eyes still striving to remain fixed upon that mighty, inert form.
"Yes, my lady.

He only came a few minutes back.