Presently the person spoke; but I do not know what she said, though it was only a word or two: but the voice came from high up, as almost from the canopy of the bed, and it was the voice of an old woman, speaking in a kind of whisper.

I said nothing; for I could not: and then again the steps moved across the floor, and out of the door; and I heard the latch shut again; and then they passed away down the stairs." My Cousin Dorothy was pale as death by this time; and her blue eyes were set wide open.

I made to take her by the hand; but I did not.
"You were dreaming," I said; "it was the memory of the tale you have heard." She shook her head; but she said nothing.
"You have never had it before ?" I asked.
"Never," she said.
"You must lie in another chamber for a week or two, and forget it." "I cannot do that," she said.

"My father would know of it." And she spoke so courageously that I was reassured.
"Well; you must cry out if it comes again.

You can have your maid to sleep with you." "I might do that," she said; and then-- "Cousin Roger; doth God permit these things to provide us against some danger ?" "It may be so," I said, to quiet her; "but be sure that no harm can come of it." At that we heard her father calling her; and she stood up.
"I have told you as a secret, Cousin Roger; there must be no word to my father." I pledged myself to that; for I could see what a spirit she had; and we said no more about it then.
As the day passed on, the sky grew heavy--or rather the air; for the sky was still blue overhead; only on the horizon to the south the clouds that are called _cumuli_ began to gather.