To rush to the door, to throw across it a long, heavy iron bar, which would resist assaults of no common strength, was his first impulse. Thus enabled to gain time for reflection, his active and alarmed mind ran over the whole field of expedient and conjecture. Again, 'Murderer,'—"Stay me not," cried Walter from below, "my hand shall seize the murderer!"
Guess was now over; danger and death were marching on him. Escape,—how?—whither? the height forbade the thought of flight from the casement!—the door?—he heard loud steps already hurrying up the stairs;—his hands clutched convulsively at his breast, where his fire-arms were generally concealed—they were left below; that to his resolute and brave spirit was the bitterest thought of all. He glanced one lightning glance round the room, no weapon of any kind was at hand. His brain reeled for a moment, his breath gasped, a mortal sickness passed over his heart, and then the mind triumphed over all. He drew
