mbs trembled so violently that She was unable to proceed.
She then called Flora, who was in a room at no great distance: But
agitation choaked her voice, and her cries died away in hollow murmurs.

She passed some minutes in this situation, after which her terrors
began to diminish. She strove to recover herself, and acquire strength
enough to quit the room: Suddenly She fancied, that She heard a low
sigh drawn near her. This idea brought back her former weakness. She
had already raised herself from her seat, and was on the point of
taking the Lamp from the Table. The imaginary noise stopped her: She
drew back her hand, and supported herself upon the back of a Chair.
She listened anxiously, but nothing more was heard.

'Gracious God!' She said to herself; 'What could be that sound? Was I
deceived, or did I really hear it?'

Her reflections were interrupted by a noise at the door scarcely
audible: It seemed as if somebody was whispering. Antonia's alarm
increased: Yet the Bolt She knew to be fastened, and this idea in some
degree reassured her. Presently the Latch was lifted up softly, and
the Door moved with caution backwards and forwards. Excess of terror
now supplied Antonia with that strength, of which She had till then
been deprived. She started from her place and made towards the Closet
door, whence She might soon have reached the chamber where She expected
to find Flora and Dame Jacintha. Scarcely had She reached the middle
of the room when the Latch was lifted up a second time. An involuntary
movement obliged her to turn her head. Slowly and gradually the Door
turned upon its hinges, and standing upon the Threshold She beheld a
tall thin Figure, wrapped in a white shroud which covered it from head
to foot.

This vision arrested her feet: She remained as if petrified in the
middle of the apartment. The Stranger with measured and solemn steps
drew near the Table. The dying Taper darted a blue and melancholy
flame as the Figure advanced towards it. Over the Table was fixed a
small Clock; The hand of it was upon the stroke of three. The Figure
stopped opposite to the Clock: It raised its right arm, and pointed to
the hour, at the same time looking earnestly upon Antonia, who waited
for the conclusion of this scene, motionless and silent.

The figure remained in this posture for some moments. The clock struck.
When the sound had ceased, the Stranger advanced yet a few steps nearer
Antonia.