It was ajar , for the family had returned unexpectedly , as was evident from the open doors and empty halls . Entering unseen , he ascended to the room my lady usually occupied . The fire burned low , Lillian 's chair was empty , and my lady lay asleep , as if lulled by the sighing winds without and the deep silence that reigned within . Paul stood regarding her with a great pity softening his face as he marked the sunken eyes , pallid cheeks , locks too early gray , and restless lips muttering in dreams . `` I wish I could spare her this , '' he sighed , stooping to wake her with a word . But he did not speak , for , suddenly clutching the chain about her neck , she seemed to struggle with some invisible foe and beat it off , muttering audibly as she clenched her thin hands on the golden case . Paul leaned and listened as if the first word had turned him to stone , till the paroxysm had passed , and with a heavy sigh my lady sank into a calmer sleep . Then , with a quick glance over his shoulder , Paul skillfully opened the locket , drew out the silver key , replaced it with one from the piano close by , and stole from the house noiselessly as he had entered it . That night , in the darkest hour before the dawn , a figure went gliding through the shadowy Park to its most solitary corner . Here stood the tomb of the Trevlyns , and here the figure paused . A dull spark of light woke in its hand , there was a clank of bars , the creak of rusty hinges , then light and figure both seemed swallowed up . Standing in the tomb where the air was close and heavy , the pale glimmer of the lantern showed piles of moldering coffins in the niches , and everywhere lay tokens of decay and death . The man drew his hat lower over his eyes , pulled the muffler closer about his mouth , and surveyed the spot with an undaunted aspect , though the beating of his heart was heard in the deep silence . Nearest the door stood a long casket covered with black velvet and richly decorated with silver ornaments , tarnished now . The Trevlyns had been a stalwart race , and the last sleeper brought there had evidently been of goodly stature , for the modern coffin was as ponderous as the great oaken beds where lay the bones of generations . Lifting the lantern , the intruder brushed the dust from the shield-shaped plate , read the name RICHARD TREVLYN and a date , and , as if satisfied , placed a key in the lock , half-raised the lid , and , averting his head that he might not see the ruin seventeen long years had made , he laid his hand on the dead breast and from the folded shroud drew a mildewed paper . One glance sufficed , the casket was relocked , the door rebarred , the light extinguished , and the man vanished like a ghost in the darkness of the wild October night . Chapter VIII WHICH ? `` A Gentleman , my lady . '' Taking a card from the silver salver on which the servant offered it , Lady Trevlyn read , `` Paul Talbot , '' and below the name these penciled words , `` I beseech you to see me . ''
Lillian XXXXX beside her and saw the line .
Entering brushed leaned listened offered pulled relocked stole stood sufficed