'It does, madam,--alas! it does!' said the stranger, who, after a long pause, proceeded.--'But you will allow me to shew my disinterestedness, though not my love, and will accept the services Ioffer.Yet, alas! what services can I offer? I am myself a prisoner, a sufferer, like you.But, dear as liberty is to me, Iwould not seek it through half the hazards I would encounter to deliver you from this recess of vice.Accept the offered services of a friend; do not refuse me the reward of having, at least, attempted to deserve your thanks.'
'You deserve them already, sir,' said Emily; 'the wish deserves my warmest thanks.But you will excuse me for reminding you of the danger you incur by prolonging this interview.It will be a great consolation to me to remember, whether your friendly attempts to release me succeed or not, that I have a countryman, who would so generously protect me.'--Monsieur Du Pont took her hand, which she but feebly attempted to withdraw, and pressed it respectfully to his lips.'Allow me to breathe another fervent sigh for your happiness,'
said he, 'and to applaud myself for an affection, which I cannot conquer.' As he said this, Emily heard a noise from her apartment, and, turning round, saw the door from the stair-case open, and a man rush into her chamber.'I will teach you to conquer it,' cried he, as he advanced into the corridor, and drew a stiletto, which he aimed at Du Pont, who was unarmed, but who, stepping back, avoided the blow, and then sprung upon Verezzi, from whom he wrenched the stiletto.While they struggled in each other's grasp, Emily, followed by Annette, ran further into the corridor, calling on Ludovico, who was, however, gone from the stair-case, and, as she advanced, terrified and uncertain what to do, a distant noise, that seemed to arise from the hall, reminded her of the danger she was incurring; and, sending Annette forward in search of Ludovico, she returned to the spot where Du Pont and Verezzi were still struggling for victory.It was her own cause which was to be decided with that of the former, whose conduct, independently of this circumstance, would, however, have interested her in his success, even had she not disliked and dreaded Verezzi.She threw herself in a chair, and supplicated them to desist from further violence, till, at length, Du Pont forced Verezzi to the floor, where he lay stunned by the violence of his fall; and she then entreated Du Pont to escape from the room, before Montoni, or his party, should appear; but he still refused to leave her unprotected; and, while Emily, now more terrified for him, than for herself, enforced the entreaty, they heard steps ascending the private stair-case.
'O you are lost!' cried she, 'these are Montoni's people.' Du Pont made no reply, but supported Emily, while, with a steady, though eager, countenance, he awaited their appearance, and, in the next moment, Ludovico, alone, mounted the landing-place.Throwing an hasty glance round the chamber, 'Follow me,' said he, 'as you value your lives; we have not an instant to lose!'
Emily enquired what had occurred, and whither they were to go?
'I cannot stay to tell you now, Signora,' replied Ludovico: 'fly!
fly!'
She immediately followed him, accompanied by Mons.Du Pont, down the stair-case, and along a vaulted passage, when suddenly she recollected Annette, and enquired for her.'She awaits us further on, Signora,' said Ludovico, almost breathless with haste; 'the gates were open, a moment since, to a party just come in from the mountains: they will be shut, I fear, before we can reach them!
Through this door, Signora,' added Ludovico, holding down the lamp, 'take care, here are two steps.'
Emily followed, trembling still more, than before she had understood, that her escape from the castle, depended upon the present moment;while Du Pont supported her, and endeavoured, as they passed along, to cheer her spirits.
'Speak low, Signor,' said Ludovico, 'these passages send echoes all round the castle.'
'Take care of the light,' cried Emily, 'you go so fast, that the air will extinguish it.'
Ludovico now opened another door, where they found Annette, and the party then descended a short flight of steps into a passage, which, Ludovico said, led round the inner court of the castle, and opened into the outer one.As they advanced, confused and tumultuous sounds, that seemed to come from the inner court, alarmed Emily.
'Nay, Signora,' said Ludovico, 'our only hope is in that tumult;while the Signor's people are busied about the men, who are just arrived, we may, perhaps, pass unnoticed through the gates.But hush!' he added, as they approached the small door, that opened into the outer court, 'if you will remain here a moment, I will go to see whether the gates are open, and any body is in the way.Pray extinguish the light, Signor, if you hear me talking,' continued Ludovico, delivering the lamp to Du Pont, 'and remain quite still.'
Saying this, he stepped out upon the court, and they closed the door, listening anxiously to his departing steps.No voice, however, was heard in the court, which he was crossing, though a confusion of many voices yet issued from the inner one.'We shall soon be beyond the walls,' said Du Pont softly to Emily, 'support yourself a little longer, Madam, and all will be well.'
But soon they heard Ludovico speaking loud, and the voice also of some other person, and Du Pont immediately extinguished the lamp.
'Ah! it is too late!' exclaimed Emily, 'what is to become of us?'
They listened again, and then perceived, that Ludovico was talking with a sentinel, whose voices were heard also by Emily's favourite dog, that had followed her from the chamber, and now barked loudly.
'This dog will betray us!' said Du Pont, 'I will hold him.' 'I fear he has already betrayed us!' replied Emily.Du Pont, however, caught him up, and, again listening to what was going on without, they heard Ludovico say, 'I'll watch the gates the while.'