She hesitated for a moment,
fearing that the noise would alarm the servants and bring them out to
see what was amiss; but no one came, and taking fresh courage, she moved
on and passed into a lofty, vaulted hall, with high-backed, oaken benches
ranged against the tapestry-covered walls, upon which hung several large
trophies of arms, and sundry swords, shields, and steel gauntlets, which
caught and flashed back the light from her lamp as she held it up to
examine them. The air was heavy, chilly, and damp. An awful stillness
reigned in this deserted hall. Isabelle shivered as she crept slowly
along, and nearly stumbled against a huge table, with massive carved
feet, that stood in the centre of the tesselated marble pavement. She
was making for a door, opposite the one by which she had entered; but,
as she approached it, was horror-stricken when she perceived two tall
men, clad in armour, standing like sentinels, one on either side of it.
She stopped short, then tried to turn and fly, but was so paralyzed with
terror that she could not stir, expecting every instant that they would
pounce upon her and take her prisoner, while she bitterly repented her
temerity in having ventured to leave her own room, and vainly wished
herself back by the quiet fireside there.
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