Part 145 (2/2)
The storm broke about ten o'clock. Milady felt a consolation in seeing nature partake of the disorder of her heart. The thunder growled in the air like the pa.s.sion and anger in her thoughts. It appeared to her that the blast as it swept along disheveled her brow, as it bowed the branches of the trees and bore away their leaves. She howled as the hurricane howled; and her voice was lost in the great voice of nature, which also seemed to groan with despair.
All at once she heard a tap at her window, and by the help of a flash of lightning she saw the face of a man appear behind the bars.
She ran to the window and opened it.
”Felton!” cried she. ”I am saved.”
”Yes,” said Felton; ”but silence, silence! I must have time to file through these bars. Only take care that I am not seen through the wicket.”
”Oh, it is a proof that the Lord is on our side, Felton,” replied Milady. ”They have closed up the grating with a board.”
”That is well; G.o.d has made them senseless,” said Felton.
”But what must I do?” asked Milady.
”Nothing, nothing, only shut the window. Go to bed, or at least lie down in your clothes. As soon as I have done I will knock on one of the panes of gla.s.s. But will you be able to follow me?”
”Oh, yes!”
”Your wound?”
”Gives me pain, but will not prevent my walking.”
”Be ready, then, at the first signal.”
Milady shut the window, extinguished the lamp, and went, as Felton had desired her, to lie down on the bed. Amid the moaning of the storm she heard the grinding of the file upon the bars, and by the light of every flash she perceived the shadow of Felton through the panes.
She pa.s.sed an hour without breathing, panting, with a cold sweat upon her brow, and her heart oppressed by frightful agony at every movement she heard in the corridor.
There are hours which last a year.
At the expiration of an hour, Felton tapped again.
Milady sprang out of bed and opened the window. Two bars removed formed an opening for a man to pa.s.s through.
”Are you ready?” asked Felton.
”Yes. Must I take anything with me?”
”Money, if you have any.”
”Yes; fortunately they have left me all I had.”
”So much the better, for I have expended all mine in chartering a vessel.”
”Here!” said Milady, placing a bag full of louis in Felton's hands.
Felton took the bag and threw it to the foot of the wall.
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