Part 5 (2/2)
”I thank you heartily for your prayers, Sir Priest Often have I heard hteous availeth h I be not of Holy Church--for those to whouidance were of the dissenting breed--yet I yield respect to all true religion; and even in the woods, where ht to the voice of their souls, I have discovered much to tell me of God, and to make me thankful for His mercies But you ask a difficult question The day has not been ill spent nor wasted This much, at least, I uard-line, and intend to make the best possible use of it
Yet the venture is bound to prove a desperate one, and nothing except the overruling care of Hiuides us all can secure the desired outco silently above the silver crucifix resting in his white fingers, but Eloise only leanedmy face
”Have you seen ly
”No, Madah in truth 'twas not altogether an enjoyable experience,--and no precisely where the prisoners are confined, even to the room of the Chevalier
If you will listen patiently I will briefly relate the story; then we can outline together our further plans for the night Are we alone?”
Both nodded, far too eager to waste time in words, and as rapidly as possible I described those incidents already narrated At the close Eloise silance, but the priest proved more demonstrative
”Thou hast, indeed, acco and unclasping the slender fingers of his white hands nervously ”Surely but for our fervent prayers the good Lord would never have led you amid such imminent and deadly peril Yet to me the venture appeareth even more hopeless than before You made mention of plans; shall we not discuss such at once, for the rapidly speeding tireat Apostle once said, in connection with the work of the Spirit, 'Brethren, the time is short'; it seemeth a fit text for us even now”
”It is too early for action,” I replied thoughtfully ”I require food, and it will be best to delay until a late hour beforein such a scheme as mine As to plans--faith, the as ill-chosen if I used it, for excepting thethe deck, I have none Yet there are certain ed before I depart Mada boat and two stout oarsmen? They o”
”It shall be done,” she answered proo, and he can select another fro the slaves”
”The Chevalier, can he swim if occasion arise?”
”He is perfectly at home in the water”
”Good; then we need run no extra risk by keeping a boat beside the frigate Let it await our co beneath the darkest shadows of the cotton sheds near the North Gate Have theether hatever weapons of war your husband may be accusto voyage, as it will require o not into a region of settleht, nor converse above whispers My word to theinia'; they are to pay heed to no other You understand all this?”
”It is engraven upon ravely ”You need have no fear”
”That I think will be all you can do to aid success--nay, wait!
instruct theer; it will be useless”
”Oh, say not so, Geoffrey Benteen,” she cried, a sudden sob evidencing the strain upon her ”Surely the good God will aid us now”
”It is upon Hi how best to minister to her deep distress ”We will do all we can, Mada remains but to submit to His will”
She hid her face in her arolden in the heavy ly upon it
”Nay, Madath, not weakness Afterwards we ht there is call for action”
She glanced up with a quick, iesture, and I saw her eyes were dry of tears
”You think ,” she said quietly, and I could detect a touch of indignation in the tone ”It is merely my nature, for the impatient blood of the South has place in my veins, yet whatsoever a lady of France may do, you can trust me to accomplish, Monsieur”