The
noise, however, which she was convinced came from the door,
continued. It seemed like that made by the undrawing of rusty
bolts, and often ceased, and was then renewed more gently, as if
the hand that occasioned it was restrained by a fear of discovery.
While Emily kept her eyes fixed on the spot, she saw the door move,
and then slowly open, and perceived something enter the room, but
the extreme duskiness prevented her perceiving what it was. Almost
fainting with terror, she had yet sufficient command over herself
to check the shriek that was escaping from her lips, and, letting
the curtain drop from her hand, continued to observe in silence the
motions of the mysterious figure she saw. It seemed to glide along
the remote obscurity of the apartment, then paused, and, as it
approached the hearth, she perceived, in the stronger light, what
appeared to be a human figure. Certain remembrances now struck upon
her heart, and almost subdued the feeble remains of her spirit. She
continued, however, to watch the figure, which remained for some
time motionless, but then, advancing slowly toward the bed, stood
silently at the feet, where the curtains, being a little open,
allowed her still to see it; terror, however, had now deprived her
of the power of discrimination, as well as that of utterance.
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