Chapter 10

           Iremainedawhileatthetopofthestair,butwiththeeffectpresentlyofunderstandingthatwhenmyvisitorhadgone,hehadgone:thenIreturnedtomyroom.TheforemostthingIsawtherebythelightofthecandleIhadleftburningwasthatFlora’slittlebedwasempty;andonthisIcaughtmybreathwithalltheterrorthat,fiveminutesbefore,Ihadbeenabletoresist.IdashedattheplaceinwhichIhadleftherlyingandoverwhich(forthesmallsilkcounterpaneandthesheetsweredisarranged)thewhitecurtainshadbeendeceivinglypulledforward;thenmystep,tomyunutterablerelief,producedanansweringsound:Iperceivedanagitationofthewindowblind,andthechild,duckingdown,emergedrosilyfromtheothersideofit.Shestoodthereinsomuchofhercandorandsolittleofhernightgown,withherpinkbarefeetandthegoldenglowofhercurls.Shelookedintenselygrave,andIhadneverhadsuchasenseoflosinganadvantageacquired(thethrillofwhichhadjustbeensoprodigious)asonmyconsciousnessthatsheaddressedmewithareproach.“Younaughty:wherehaveyoubeen?”—insteadofchallengingherownirregularityIfoundmyselfarraignedandexplaining.Sheherselfexplained,forthatmatter,withtheloveliest,eagerestsimplicity.Shehadknownsuddenly,asshelaythere,thatIwasoutoftheroom,andhadjumpeduptoseewhathadbecomeofme.