" The busy spider had wreathed her
dingy festoons in mockery over the pomp she degraded.
He listened, but there was no sound, save the last faint echo of his
footstep. Turning towards the staircase, a beautiful spaniel, a sort of
privileged favourite of Constance, came, with a deep growl, as if to
warn away the intruder. But the sagacious animal suddenly fawned upon
him, and with a low whine ascended the stairs, looking back wistfully,
as though inviting him to follow.
Scarcely knowing why, or bestowing one thought on the nature of his
intrusion, he ascended. The place seemed familiar to him. He entered a
narrow gallery, where he paused, overcome by some sudden and
overwhelming emotion. The dog stood too, looking back with a low and
sorrowful whine. With a sudden effort he grappled with and shook off the
dark spirit that threatened to overpower him. A low murmur was heard
apparently from a chamber at no great distance. Without reflecting a
moment on the impropriety of his situation, he hastily approached the
door. His guide, with a look of almost irresistible persuasion, implored
him to enter.
It was the chamber of Constance.
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