CHAPTER XXVIII 423 to the door .
" Is it you , Mr . St . John ?" cried Hannah . " Yes -- yes ; open quickly ."
" Well , how wet and cold you must be , such a wild night as it is ! Come in -- your sisters are quite uneasy about you , and I believe there are bad folks about . There has been a beggar-woman -- I declare she is not gone yet ! -- laid down there . Get up ! for shame ! Move off , I say !"
" Hush , Hannah ! I have a word to say to the woman . You have done your duty in excluding , now let me do mine in admitting her . I was near , and listened to both you and her . I think this is a peculiar case -- I must at least examine into it . Young woman , rise , and pass before me into the house ."
With difficulty I obeyed him . Presently I stood within that clean , bright kitchen -- on the very hearth -- trembling , sickening ; conscious of an aspect in the last degree ghastly , wild , and weather-beaten . The two ladies , their brother , Mr . St . John , the old servant , were all gazing at me .
" St . John , who is it ?" I heard one ask . " I cannot tell : I found her at the door ," was the reply . " She does look white ," said Hannah . " As white as clay or death ," was responded . " She will fall : let her sit ."
And indeed my head swam : I dropped , but a chair received me . I still possessed my senses , though just now I could not speak .
" Perhaps a little water would restore her . Hannah , fetch some . But she is worn to nothing . How very thin , and how very bloodless !"
" A mere spectre !"