Someone had placed his shoulder against it.

Henrietta clung to the table to save herself from falling.
At last the lock burst, the door flew open, and Fatia Negra with two masked companions stood before the lady.

The same instant Henrietta recovered her presence of mind.

At a pace's distance from danger she ceased to tremble and calmly addressed them: "What do you want ?" "Why are you not asleep now like your companion ?" enquired Fatia Negra in a low voice.
One of his comrades approached the sleeper and held the barrel of his pistol to his temples.

In Fatia Negra's hand there was only a dagger.
"Don't wake him," he whispered to Henrietta, "for if he should but raise his head his brains will be blown out." "Do him no harm!" implored the lady.