Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 1).djvu/27

 the balcony, she perceived a man gliding from the opposite door into an obscure corner of the room; there was just sufficient light within to enable her to perceive he was a stranger: her heart beat quick; she trembled, and shrinking back, regretted the thoughtless temerity which had exposed her to danger, by tempting her to visit the lonely pile at such an hour.

That it was the author of the little sonnet she beheld, she could not doubt; but the tender sentiments it expressed could not inspire her with sufficient courage to bear the idea of throwing herself entirely into his power, which, by attempting to leave the castle, she must do, her only passage being through its innermost recesses; she deemed it safer therefore to continue in her present situation, where there was a chance of not being observed, and of obtaining assistance by crying out if she should find it necessary, either till she was assured the stranger had departed, or that some hope of protection presented itself to her view.