The sounds ceased and a deep silence followed, which she herself was unable to break although she strove hard to do so.  A wild gust of wind shook the windows and nearly extinguished the light, and when its flame had regained its accustomed steadiness she saw that the door was slowly opening, while the huge shadow of a hand blotted the papered wall.  Still her tongue refused its office.  The door flew open with a crash, a cloaked figure entered and, throwing aside its coverings, she saw with a horror past all expression the napkin-bound face of the dead Ursula smiling terribly at her.  In her last extremity she raised her faded eyes above for succour, and then as the figure noiselessly advanced and laid its cold hand upon her brow, the soul of Eunice Mallow left its body with a wild shriek and made its way to the Eternal.

Martha, roused by the cry, and shivering with dread, rushed to the door and gazed in terror at the figure which stood leaning over the bedside.  As she watched, it slowly removed the cowl and the napkin and exposed the fell face of Tabitha, so strangely contorted between fear and triumph that she hardly recognized it.

“Who’s there?” cried Tabitha in a terrible voice as she saw the old woman’s shadow on the wall.

“I thought I heard a cry,” said Martha, entering.  “Did anybody call?”

“Yes, Eunice,” said the other, regarding her closely.  “I, too, heard the cry, and hurried to her.  What makes her so strange?  Is she in a trance?”

“Ay,” said the old woman, falling on her knees by the bed and sobbing bitterly, “the trance of death.  Ah, my dear, my poor lonely girl, that this should be the end of it!  She has died of fright,” said the old woman, pointing to the eyes, which even yet retained their horror.  “She has seen something devilish.”

Tabitha’s gaze fell.  “She has always suffered with her heart,” she muttered; “the night has frightened her; it frightened me.”

She stood upright by the foot of the bed as Martha drew the sheet over the face of the dead woman.

“First Ursula, then Eunice,” said Tabitha, drawing a deep breath.  “I can’t stay here.  I’ll dress and wait for the morning.”

She left the room as she spoke, and with bent head proceeded to her own.  Martha remained by the bedside, and gently closing the staring eyes, fell on her knees, and prayed long and earnestly for the departed soul.  Overcome with grief and fear she remained with bowed head until a sudden sharp cry from Tabitha brought her to her feet.

“Well,” said the old woman, going to the door.

“Where are you?” cried Tabitha, somewhat reassured by her voice.

“In Miss Eunice’s bedroom.  Do you want anything?”

“Come down at once.  Quick!  I am unwell.”

Her voice rose suddenly to a scream.  “Quick!  For God’s sake!  Quick, or I shall go mad.  There is some strange woman in the house.”