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288 it had almost unconsciously buried itself, to ascertain the cause of an unusual light: the fact was, a shutter had been carelessly fastened, and a gusgust [sic] of wind had caused the iron bar to fall. It was, however, fortunate for me, as my well arranged plan had forgotten one very important point; namely, how I was to leave the house. To unfasten the hall door was utterly beyond my strength; now an obvious method of escape presented itself. I opened the window and sprang out, running thence at full speed till I gained the avenue; there I was secure. Breathless with running, agitated and afraid, it is singular how soon I grew composed, and even cheerful in the clear bright morning; its gladness entered into my heart. For a moment I almost forgot the purpose that had brought me there at such an hour: the mists were rising from the park, rolling away like waves of some silvery sea, such as I ever after fancied the seas in fairy tales to be. The clouds were warming into deeper crimson every moment, till the smallest leaf on