But a slight sound that seemed to come from near at hand aroused her.
She started up in a fresh panic, pulled out a drawer, that fell with a
crash from her trembling hands, and began to feel behind for a secret
spring. Oh, she had been a fool, a fool to hide it so securely! She
would never find it in the darkness.
Nevertheless, groping, her quivering fingers soon discovered that which
they sought. The secret slide opened and she felt for what lay beyond. A
moment later she was clasping tightly a little silver flask.
And then, with deliverance actually within her hold, she paused.
Kneeling there in the darkness she strove to collect her thoughts, that
she might not die in panic. It was not death that she feared just then.
She knew that it would come to her swiftly, she believed painlessly. But
she would not die before she need. She would wait a little. Perhaps when
the wild tumult at her heart had subsided she would be able to pray, not
for deliverance from death--there could be no alternative now--but for
peace.
So, kneeling alone, she waited; and presently, growing calmer, removed
the top of the flask so that she might be ready.
Seconds passed. Her nerves were growing steadier; the mad gallop of her
heart was slackening.
She leaned her head on her hand and closed her eyes.
And then, all in a moment, fear seized her again--the sudden
consciousness of some one near her, some one watching.
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