Part 68 (1/2)
Suddenly she bounded up, and ran as one runs for life Her long rest had refreshed her Despair gave her strength But the pursuer was on her track Swiftly, and stillon her Still she rushed on
At last a strong hand seized her by the shoulder, and she sank down upon the moss that lay under the forest trees
”Who are you?” cried a familiar voice
”Vijal!” cried Beatrice
The other let go his hold
”Will you betrayvoice
Vijal was silent
”What do you want?” said he, at last ”Whatever you want to do I will help you I will be your slave”
”I wish to escape”
”Co another word he walked on and Beatrice followed Hope rose once th Despair and its weakness had left her After about half an hour's walk they reached the park wall
”I thought it was a poacher,” said Vijal, sadly; ”yet I alad it was you, for I can help you I will help you over the wall”
He raised her up She clambered to the top, where she rested for a ood-by!” said she
Vijal said nothing
The next moment she was on the other side The road lay there It ran north away fro this road Beatrice walked swiftly
CHAPTER xxxIII
”PICKED UP ADRIFT”
On thetwo travelers left a small inn which lay on the road-side, about ten ht o'clock when they took their departure, driving in their own carriage at a hetti,” said the one as driving, pointing with his whip to an object in the road directly in front of thehetti raised his head, which had been bowed down in deep abstraction, to look in the direction indicated A figure was approaching them It looked like a woer than to walk
”She appears to be drunk, Despard,” said Langhetti ”Poor wretch, and on this bleak Marchfor her”
They drove on, and as theyand extraordinarily beautiful Her face was thin and white Her clothing was of fine materials but scanty and torn to shreds
As they stopped she turned her large eyes up despairingly and stood still, with a face which seeuish and of hope Yet as her eyes rested on Langhetti a change came over her The deep and unutterable sadness of her face passed away, and was succeeded by a radiant flash of joy She threw out her arms toward hihetti saw her he started up and stood for an instant as if paralyzed Her cry cae toward her, and caught her in his arms
”Oh, Bice! Alas, my Bicina!” he cried, and a thousand fond words came to his lips