At the
same time something moved her to quicken her pace. As she drew
near the common, she heard the steps more plainly, still soft and
swift, and almost wished she had sought refuge in the cottage she
had just passed--only it bore no very good character in the
neighborhood. When she reached the spot where the paths united,
feeling a little at home, she stopped to listen. Behind her were
the footsteps plain enough! The same moment the clouds thinned
about the moon, and a pale light came filtering through upon the
common in front of her. She cast one look over her shoulder, saw
something turn a corner in the lane, and sped on again. She would
have run, but there was no place of refuge now nearer than the
corner of the turnpike-road, and she knew her breath would fail
her long before that. How lonely and shelterless the common
looked! The soft, swift steps came nearer and nearer.
Was that music she heard? She dared not stop to listen. But
immediately, thereupon, was poured forth on the dim air such a
stream of pearly sounds as if all the necklaces of some heavenly
choir of woman-angels were broken, and the beads came pelting
down in a cataract of hurtless hail. From no source could they
come save the bow and violin of Joseph Jasper! Where could he be?
She was so rejoiced to know that he must be somewhere near, that,
for very delight of unsecured safety, she held her peace, and had
almost stopped.
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