Part 49 (2/2)
It was not spoken. Lilian was evidently embarra.s.sed by the presence of these young men; and cast uneasy glances towards them as she read.
Perhaps the restraint thus placed upon her hindered any violent show of emotion, which the writing on the paper might have called forth. A short suppressed sigh, as she finished reading; a quick searching glance among the groups in front--another, shot stealthily towards the rear of the waggon--this was all in her manner that might have appeared unusual.
I waited till her eyes were again turned rearward; and then, gently parting the canvas flaps, I held Marian's note between my fingers inside the curtain. The apparition of my red-hand did not cause an alarm. The poem had paved the way for the more prosaic epistle: and neither scream nor start was occasioned by its delivery. As soon as I saw that the piece of paper was observed, I dropped it among the boxes, and withdrew my hand. The fear that we might have been noticed standing too long in one place, influenced us to move away. If fortune should favour the reading of that note, on our return we might find our scheme much more ripe for execution. With this reflection, we glided silently from the spot.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWO.
TO HORSE AND AWAY.
Our absence was of short duration--a turn to the tents and back again.
While there, I had spoken a word to Wingrove and Sure-shot. Archilete was still absent. I had warned my comrades not to picket our horses at too great a distance from the tents: as we knew not how soon we might need them. Little thought I, as I delivered this cautionary counsel, that within the hour--nay, almost within that minute--we should be hastening to mount and be gone! Our idea had been that some time about midnight--perhaps later--when the camp should be buried in sleep-- Lilian, already warned that we were in wait for her, would steal forth and join us at the tents. Thence, trusting to the speed of our horses, we should find no difficulty in escaping--even though pursuit might be given on the instant of our departure. We were all well-mounted--as well, at least, as the Mormons could be--and with a guide who knew the pa.s.ses, we should have the advantage of them.
It did not occur to Marian or myself, that that very moment might have been more appropriate for flight, than the hour of midnight or any other. Then, in the midst of their noisy revelry, when all eyes were turned upon the dance, and souls absorbed in the giddy whirl of pleasure--when slight sounds were unnoticed amidst the swelling music and the clangour of voices--when even the hoof-stroke of a galloping horse would have fallen unheard or unheeded--then, indeed, would have been the very time for our designed abduction! The idea did not occur to either of us. I cannot tell why it did not: unless it was that we were hindered from thinking of final measures, by our uncertainty as to the _disposition_ of Lilian. Her consent was _now_ the most important condition to our success--as her refusal would be its grandest obstacle.
Surely she would _not_ refuse? We could not for a moment harbour the apprehension. By this time she must have read the letter? We could now safely speak face to face with her--that is, if opportunity should be found for an interview. To seek that opportunity, therefore, were we returning a second time to the rear of the waggons. The candle was yet burning under the tilt. Its flame feebly illuminated the canvas. We drew near with stealthy tread, taking notice that we were not observed.
We stood once more by the end of the huge vehicle. We were raising our eyes to look through the curtain, when at that instant the light went out. Some one had suddenly extinguished it! One might have regarded this as an ill omen; but, the moment after, we could hear a slight rustling sound--as of some one moving under the cover of the waggon, and pa.s.sing along towards its hinder end. We stood silent, listening to the sound. It ceased at length; but, immediately after, the edge of the curtain was raised slowly, and without noise. A face appeared in the opening! There was scarcely any light; but even through the grim darkness that lovely face gleamed soft and white. Marian stood nearest, and easily recognised it. In a tender tone she p.r.o.nounced the magic word: ”Sister!”
”O Marian! sister! is it you?”
”Yes, dearest Lil! But hus.h.!.+ speak low!”
”Are you yet alive, dear Marian? or am I dreaming?”
”No dream, sister, but a reality.”
”O mercy! tell me, sister--”
”All--all--but not now--there is no time.”
”But _he_, dear sister? who is he that is with you?”
I stepped near enough to reply in a whisper: ”One, Lilian, who _thinks of thee_!”
”O sir! Edward!--Edward!--it is you!”
”Hus.h.!.+” whispered Marian, again interposing with a quick gesture of caution. ”Speak only in whispers! Lilian!” continued she in a firm tone, ”you must fly with us!”
”From our father? Do you mean that, Marian?”
”From our father--ay, even from him!”
”O dear sister! what will he say? what will he do, if I forsake him?-- Our poor father!--”
There was anguish in the tones of her voice, that told of filial affection still strong and true, however much it may have been trampled upon.
”Say and do?” interrupted Marian. ”He will rejoice--_should_ rejoice-- when he knows the danger from which you have escaped. O sister! dear sister! believe me--believe your own Marian! A fearful fate is before you. Flight with us can alone save you. Even father will soon be powerless to protect you, _as he was to protect me_. Do not hesitate then, but say you will go with us? Once beyond the reach of those villains who surround you, all will be well.”
”And our father, Marian?”
”No harm will come to him. It is not his ruin they seek; but yours, sister, yours!” A choking sigh was all the reply I could hear. It appeared to be a signal that the spell was broken: as if the heart had escaped from some thraldom in which it had been long held. Had the words of Marian produced conviction? or had they but confirmed some apprehension previously conceived? Was it the snapping of the filial thread I had heard in that anguished expression? Both the sigh and the silence that followed seemed to signify a.s.sent. To make more sure, I was about to add the influence of my intervention, with all the fervency of a lover's appeal. Wild words were upon my lips; when at that moment some strange interjections reached my ears, uttered within the enclosure. I stepped suddenly to one side, and looked over the wheels of the waggon. There I beheld a spectacle that caused the blood to rush through my veins in quick quivering current. Marian saw it at the same time. Holt had been seated near the fire, when seen but the moment before; but, as we now looked through, we saw that he had risen to his feet, and was standing in an att.i.tude that betrayed some singular excitement! It was from him the interjections had proceeded. The cause was easily explained. The dog Wolf was leaping up against his legs-- uttering low growls of recognition, and making other demonstrations of joy. The animal had identified its old master! Despite the stained snout and close-trimmed tonsure--despite both paint and shears--the dog had been also identified. Between him and his master the recognition was mutual. I saw this at a glance; and the speeches of the squatter only confirmed what was already evident to the eye.
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