"You must promise upon your salvation that you will not fail me." "I promise upon my salvation," replied Aunt Dorothy.
That evening of course we did not see the ladies at supper.

Sir George and I ate in silence until my cousin became talkative from drink.

Then he spoke bitterly of Dorothy's conduct, and bore with emphasis upon the fact that the lover to whom Dorothy had stooped was a low-born serving man.
"But Dorothy declares he is noble," I responded.
"She has lied to me so often that I do not believe a word she says," returned Sir George.
He swore oath upon oath that the wretch should hang in the morning, and for the purpose of carrying into effect his intention he called in Joe the butcher and told him to make all things ready for the execution.
I did not attempt to thwart his purpose by word or gesture, knowing it would be useless, but hoped that John would be out of his reach long ere the cock would crow his first greeting to the morrow's sun.
After Sir George had drunk far into the night the servants helped him to bed, and he carried with him the key to the dungeon together with the keys to all the outer doors and gates of Haddon Hall, as was his custom.

The keys were in a bunch, held together by an iron ring, and Sir George always kept them under his pillow at night.
I sought my bed in Eagle Tower and lay down in my clothes to rest and wait.

The window of my room was open.
Within an hour after midnight I heard the hooting of an owl.