It was empty; and Janet was perplexed to think how she had gone unseen.

She had crept out after Mr.Duff, and probably Janet saw her, but as one of those who seeing see not, and immediately forget.
Just as the farmer left the room, a great noise arose among the cattle in that adjoining; he set down the bottle on a chair that happened to be in the passage, and ran to protect the partitions.
Exultation would be a poor word wherewith to represent the madness of the delight that shot its fires into Mistress Croale's eyes when she saw the bottle actually abandoned within her reach.

It was to her as the very key of the universe.

She darted upon it, put it to her lips, and drank.

Yet she took heed, thought while she drank, and did not go beyond what she could carry.