"Ellen! you'll have to fetch the key, or else I must run round to the porter's lodge. I can't scale the ramparts on this side!"
"Stay where you are," I answered, "I have my bundle of keys in my pocket; perhaps I may manage to open it, if not, I'll go."
Catherine amused herself with dancing to and fro before the door, while I tried all the large keys in succession. I had applied the last, and found that none would do; so, repeating my desire that she would remain there, I was about to hurry home as fast as I could, when an approaching sound arrested me. It was the trot of a horse; Cathy's dance stopped; and in a minute the horse stopped also.
"Who is that?" I whispered.
"Ellen, I wish you could open the door," whispered back my companion, anxiously.
"Ho, Miss Linton!" cried a deep voice, (the rider's.) "I'm glad to meet you. Don't be in haste to enter, for I have an explanation to ask and obtain."
