What solemn vows did I put up, that, if I should once more
behold the light of day, I would never trust myself again within
the threshold of this dwelling!
Minute lingered after minute, but no token was given that Carwin
had returned to the passage. What, I again asked, could detain him
in this room? Was it possible that he had returned, and glided
unperceived away? I was speedily aware of the difficulty that
attended an enterprise like this; and yet, as if by that means I
were capable of gaining any information on that head, I cast
anxious looks from the window.
The object that first attracted my attention was a human figure
standing on the edge of the bank. Perhaps my penetration was
assisted by my hopes. Be that as it will, the figure of Carwin was
clearly distinguishable. From the obscurity of my station, it was
impossible that I should be discerned by him; and yet he scarcely
suffered me to catch a glimpse of him. He turned and went down the
steep, which in this part was not difficult to be scaled.
My conjecture, then, had been right. Carwin has softly opened the
door, descended the stairs, and issued forth.
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