But now its significance to another person shivered through that her being.
Poor--poor Olivetta! For Olivetta, of course, it was.

Mrs.De Peyster knew what was due the De Peyster corpuscles that moved in stately procession along the avenues of her blood, and was not neglectful to see that that due was properly observed; but the heart from which those corpuscles derived their impulse was, as Judge Harvey had once said, in its way the kindest sort of heart.

And now, for a few minutes, all that her heart could feel was felt for Olivetta.
But for a few minutes only.

Then Olivetta, and all concerns beyond the immediate moment, were suddenly forgotten.

For in the hall without soft footsteps were heard, and the instant after, upon her door, there sounded an ominous scratching--a sound like a key in an agitated hand searching for its appointed hole.
Mrs.De Peyster rose up and clutched Matilda's arm, and stood in rigid terror.
"Tha--that key ?" chattered Matilda.