`` It is Karl , '' she thought , and was about to speak , when , as if startled by some sound she did not hear , he rose and vanished in the gloom of the garden . `` Poor man ! he thought of his wife and child , perhaps , sitting here alone while all the rest make merry , with no care for him . Uncle must see to this ; '' and Helen fell into a reverie till Amy came to propose retiring . `` I meant to have seen where all these doors led , but was so busy dressing I had no time , so must leave it for my amusement to-morrow . Uncle says it 's a very Radcliffian place . How like an angel that man did play ! '' chattered Amy , and lulled herself to sleep by humming the last air Casimer had given them . Helen could not sleep , for the lonely figure in the garden haunted her , and she wearied herself with conjectures about Hoffman and his mystery . Hour after hour rung from the cuckoo-clock in the hall , but still she lay awake , watching the curious shadows in the room , and exciting herself with recalling the tales of German goblins with which the courier had amused them the day before . `` It is close and musty here , with all this old tapestry and stuff about ; I 'll open the other window , '' she thought ; and , noiselessly slipping from Amy 's side , she threw on wrapper and slippers , lighted her candle and tried to unbolt the tall , diamond-paned lattice . It was rusty and would not yield , and , giving it up , she glanced about to see whence air could be admitted . There were four doors in the room , all low and arched , with clumsy locks and heavy handles . One opened into a closet , one into the passage ; the third was locked , but the fourth opened easily , and , lifting her light , she peeped into a small octagon room , full of all manner of curiosities . What they were she had no time to see , for her startled eyes were riveted on an object that turned her faint and cold with terror . A heavy table stood in the middle of the room , and seated at it , with some kind of weapon before him , was a man who looked over his shoulder , with a ghastly face half hidden by hair and beard , and fierce black eyes as full of malignant menace as was the clinched hand holding the pistol . One instant Helen looked , the next flung to the door , bolted it and dropped into a chair , trembling in every limb . The noise did not wake Amy , and a moment 's thought showed Helen the wisdom of keeping her in ignorance of this affair . She knew the major was close by , and possessing much courage , she resolved to wait a little before rousing the house . Hardly had she collected herself , when steps were heard moving softly in the octagon room .
Her light had gone out as she closed the door , and XXXXX close by in the dark , she heard the sound of some one breathing as he listened at the key-hole .
amused bolted collected dressing riveted says seen sitting sleep speak