Instantly she dropped the poker, and covering her face with her arms,
uttering a strange, low cry, she dashed round the kitchen table, making
nearly the complete circuit, and then swept past me, and I heard her
clattering up the kitchen stairs.
I was too much taken aback to follow. I stood as one petrified. I felt
dazed and unable to trust either my eyes or my ears.
Something like a minute must have elapsed before I had sufficiently
recovered to turn and leave the kitchen. Then I ascended slowly and, I
confess, nervously. I was fearful lest I should find the red-haired girl
cowering against the wall, and that I should have to pass her.
But nothing was to be seen. I reached the hall, and saw that no door was
open from it except that of the breakfast-room. I entered and thoroughly
examined every recess, corner, and conceivable hiding-place, but could
find no one there. Then I ascended the staircase, with my hand on the
balustrade, and searched all the rooms on the first floor, without the
least success. Above were the servants' apartments, and I now resolved
on mounting to them. Here the staircase was uncarpeted. As I was
ascending, I heard Jane at work in her room. I then heard her come out
hastily upon the landing. At the same moment, with a rush past me,
uttering the same moan, went the red-haired girl. I am sure I felt her
skirts sweep my dress. I did not notice her till she was close upon me,
but I did distinctly see her as she passed. I turned, and saw no more.