With a hasty `` Thank you , '' Paul caught the letter and darted away to his own room , there to tear it open and , after reading a single line , to drop into a chair as if he had received a sudden blow . Growing paler and paler he read on , and when the letter fell from his hands he exclaimed , in a tone of despair , `` How could he die at such a time ! '' For an hour the boy sat thinking intently , with locked door , curtained window , and several papers strewn before him . Letters , memoranda , plans , drawings , and bits of parchment , all of which he took from a small locked portfolio always worn about him . Over these he pored with a face in which hope , despondency , resolve , and regret alternated rapidly . Taking the locket out he examined a ring which lay in one side , and the childish face which smiled on him from the other . His eyes filled as he locked and put it by , saying tenderly , `` Dear little heart ! I 'll not forget or desert her whatever happens . Time must help me , and to time I must leave my work . One more attempt and then I 'm off . '' * * * * * `` I 'll go to bed now , Hester ; but while you get my things ready I 'll take a turn in the corridor . The air will refresh me . '' As she spoke , Lady Trevlyn drew her wrapper about her and paced softly down the long hall lighted only by fitful gleams of moonlight and the ruddy glow of the fire . At the far end was the state chamber , never used now , and never visited except by Hester , who occasionally went in to dust and air it , and my lady , who always passed the anniversary of Sir Richard 's death alone there . The gallery was very dark , and she seldom went farther than the last window in her restless walks , but as she now approached she was startled to see a streak of yellow light under the door . She kept the key herself and neither she nor Hester had been there that day . A cold shiver passed over her for , as she looked , the shadow of a foot darkened the light for a moment and vanished as if someone had noiselessly passed . Obeying a sudden impulse , my lady sprang forward and tried to open the door . It was locked , but as her hand turned the silver knob a sound as if a drawer softly closed met her ear . She stooped to the keyhole but it was dark , a key evidently being in the lock .
She XXXXX back and flew to her room , snatched the key from her dressing table , and , bidding Hester follow , returned to the hall .
Growing approached drew examined fell get pored put refresh took