The Woodman

           "Theresoon,however,appearedsomedrawbacks.Inthefirstplace,Millarcacomplainedofextremelanguor—theweaknessthatremainedafterherlateillness—andsheneveremergedfromherroomtilltheafternoonwasprettyfaradvanced.Inthenextplace,itwasaccidentallydiscovered,althoughshealwayslockedherdoorontheinside,andneverdisturbedthekeyfromitsplacetillsheadmittedthemaidtoassistathertoilet,thatshewasundoubtedlysometimesabsentfromherroomintheveryearlymorning,andatvarioustimeslaterintheday,beforeshewishedittobeunderstoodthatshewasstirring.Shewasrepeatedlyseenfromthewindowsoftheschloss,inthefirstfaintgreyofthemorning,walkingthroughthetrees,inaneasterlydirection,andlookinglikeapersoninatrance.Thisconvincedmethatshewalkedinhersleep.Butthishypothesisdidnotsolvethepuzzle.Howdidshepassoutfromherroom,leavingthedoorlockedontheinside?Howdidsheescapefromthehousewithoutunbarringdoororwindow?

           "Inthemidstofmyperplexities,ananxietyofafarmoreurgentkindpresenteditself.

           "Mydearchildbegantoloseherlooksandhealth,andthatinamannersomysterious,andevenhorrible,thatIbecamethoroughlyfrightened.

           "Shewasatfirstvisitedbyappallingdreams;then,asshefancied,byaspecter,sometimesresemblingMillarca,sometimesintheshapeofabeast,indistinctlyseen,walkingroundthefootofherbed,fromsidetoside.

           "Lastlycamesensations.