Part 56 (2/2)
”Time is precious,” said Oswald, disengaging himself from Primula's embrace. ”We must go, Emily.”
”Not without having drained this cup,” said Primula, pouring the tea into a cup. ”You know, Oswald, it is cold without, and in the night air we s.h.i.+ver; even we immortal G.o.ds.”
Primula's effort to be jocular was a failure; tears drowned her voice, she sat down on a settee, pressed her hand on her face, and sobbed. But a moment and she jumped up again.
”No womanly weakness, Primula,” she cried; ”we must be strong now.
Drink, friends, drink; and then out into the dark night and the star-crowned life!”
”Come, Oswald,” said Emily, who stood there ready for the journey; ”Mrs. Jager is right; a cup of tea will do no harm, and a few minutes more or less can make no difference.”
”I wish we were off,” said Oswald, taking the cup she was offering him from her hand.
He had hardly uttered these words when somebody knocked violently against the shutter.
All looked at each other frightened.
”Hallo!” cried a voice.
”For heaven's sake! That is Arthur!” said Emily. ”We are lost.”
”Farewell, my friends!” cried Primula, and dashed into the adjoining chamber, after having in vain tried to break open the door of a huge wardrobe.
”Hus.h.!.+” said the old woman. ”We are not so easily caught here in Ferry town. Not a word!”
She went to the window and said, ”Who is there?”
”Is the Baroness Cloten here? I have important news for her.”
The old woman turned round and whispered, ”Make haste and get away; I will try to keep him here. What do you want of her?”
Oswald and Emily did not hear the reply. They slipped stealthily, holding each other's hand, through the hall to the back door, which opened upon the sea. A flight of steps led down to the beach. Below was the sleigh. Once in the sleigh they were safe.
”Stay behind me,” said Oswald when they came to the door.
The door was closed by an iron clasp. Oswald opened it cautiously.
Everything was quiet. The wintry sky looked down with its bright stars.
”There is n.o.body here,” whispered Oswald. ”Come!”
They had no sooner stepped out than the door was closed violently and with a bang, evidently by somebody who had been standing behind it, who now, as if to cut off the retreat of the fugitives, was leaning against it with his broad shoulders.
In such moments the mind acts promptly, and Oswald recognized instantly by the aid of the starlight and the sheen of the snow that the broad-shouldered form before him was that of Baron Barnewitz.
”We are betrayed,” he whispered; ”but they shall pay for it. Quick Emily, step into the sleigh; I'll follow.”
”But not just now!” said Barnewitz, leaping upon Oswald, and seizing him by the shoulders with both hands.
<script>