to have been fixed too loosely in the wall, for it fell after the picture, and brought away part of the plaister.—“What, in God’s name, can be the reason,” said Bertram with vexation, “that this picture can’t be made to hang as it should do? This now is the second time that it has alarmed us. Katy, my love, art any worse?”
“No, not at all,” said she cheerfully, and wiping the blood from her tersses, “but I was sadly frightened.”
William was thrown into dreadful agitation when he beheld the death-pale countenance of Kate, and the blood upon her temples. Just so had she appeared to him on the night of his hideous visions; and all the sad images of that memorable night now revived upon his mind, and tormented him afresh. The violent shock tended greatly to stagger him in his plans for the night; but the wine, which he drank in large draughts, and more hastily than usual, for the purpose of hiding his anguish, filled him with a frantic spirit of hardihood: he resolved afresh to make the attempt boldly; and
