Past-mistress of deceit though she may have been, I was convinced that her consternation at my statement was honest.

She did not speak or look at me again for some time.

As for me, I sat silent with the horror of a thought.

Underneath the rug my limbs were cold and lifeless.

I sat looking out of the rain-splashed window into the darkness, with fixed staring eyes, and a hideous fancy in my brain.
Every now and then I thought that I could see it--a white evil face pressed close to the blurred glass, grinning in upon me.