The person would some time awaken and detect me.

The interval would only be fraught with agony, and it was wise to shorten it.

Should I not withdraw the curtain, awake the person, and encounter at once all the consequences of my situation?
I glided softly to the bed, when the thought occurred, May not the sleeper be a female?
I cannot describe the mixture of dread and of shame which glowed in my veins.

The light in which such a visitant would be probably regarded by a woman's fears, the precipitate alarms that might be given, the injury which I might unknowingly inflict or undeservedly suffer, threw my thoughts into painful confusion.

My presence might pollute a spotless reputation, or furnish fuel to jealousy.
Still, though it were a female, would not less injury be done by gently interrupting her slumber?
But the question of sex still remained to be decided.