A strange fear
came upon her, and she drew back with a shudder.
"Are you cold?" said Tom. "Of course you must be, with nothing
but that thin muslin! Shall I run down and get you a shawl?"
"Oh, no! do not leave me, please. It's not that," answered Letty.
"I don't mind the wind a bit; it's rather pleasant. It's only
that the look of the place makes me miserable, I think. It looks
as if no one had danced there for a hundred years."
"Neither any one has, I suppose, till to-night," said Tom. "What
a fine place it would be if only it had a roof to it! I can't
think how any one can live beside it and leave it like that!"
But Tom lived a good deal closer to a worse ruin, and never spent
a thought on it.
Letty shivered again.
"I'm quite ashamed of myself," she said, trying to speak
cheerfully. "I can't think why I should feel like this--just as
if something dreadful were watching me! I'll go home, Mr.
Helmer.".
"It will be much the safest thing to do: I fear you have indeed
caught cold," replied Tom, rejoiced at the chance of accompanying
her. "I shall be delighted to see you safe."
"There is not the least occasion for that, thank you," answered
Letty. "I have an old servant of my aunt's with me--somewhere
about the place. The storm is quite over now: I will go and find
her."
Tom made no objection, but helped her down the dark stair,
hoping, however, the servant might not be found.
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