If she did not make up her mind soon it would be too late.

It might be that already he was repenting his brief generosity, if generosity it had been.

It might be that at any moment she would hear his tread upon the stairs.
She started up in a panic, fancying that she heard it already.

But no sound followed her wild alarm, and she knew that her quivering nerves had tricked her.

Shuddering from head to foot, she stood listening, debating with herself.
Her time was very short now; only three minutes to the half-hour--only two--only one! With a gasp, she gathered together all the little strength she had left.
But she could not descend those gloomy stairs.