Part 56 (1/2)
”Escape.”
”Well, come! I'll leap with you from the window.”
”You can't. The house and all around swarms with brigands. They watch us all closely.”
”I'll fight my way through them.”
”Then you'll be killed, and I'll die.”
”Well, I'll do whatever you say.”
”Listen, then. You must escape alone.”
”What! and leave you? Never!”
”I'm safe. I'm disguised, and a priest is with me as my protector.”
”How can you be safe in such a place as this?”
”I am safe. Do not argue. There is no time to lose. The priest brought me here, and will take me away.”
”But there are others here. I can't leave them. Isn't Miss Fay a prisoner? and another lady?”
”Yes; but the priest and I will be able, I hope, to liberate them. We have a plan.”
”But can't I go with you and help you?”
”Oh no! it's impossible. You could not. We are going to take them away in disguise. We have a dress. You couldn't be disguised.”
”And _must_ I go alone?”
”You must.”
”I'll do it, then. Tell me what it is. But oh, my darling! how can I leave you, and in such a place as this?”
”I a.s.sure you I am not in the slightest danger.”
”I shall feel terribly anxious.”
”H-s-s-s-h! no more of this. Listen now.”
”Well?”
Ethel bent lower, and whispered in his ear, in even lower tones than ever, the plan which she had contrived.
CHAPTER x.x.x.
A DESPERATE PLAN.