He could hear the cottage clock deliberately measure out the seconds; time stood still with him; an almost superstitious terror took command of his faculties; at last, he could bear no more, and, springing through the little garden in two bounds, he put his face against the window. The blind, which had not been drawn fully down, left an open c***k about an inch in height along the bottom of the glass, and the whole parlour was thus exposed to d**k's investigation. Esther sat upright at the table, her head resting on her hand, her eyes fixed upon the candle. Her brows were slightly bent, her mouth slightly open; her whole attitude so still and settled that d**k could hardly fancy that she breathed. She had not stirred at the sound of d**k's arrival. Soon after, making a considerable disturb
