Part 62 (1/2)

For some seconds the lover's heart was on fire--or felt as if it was.

Fortunately, the dread sensation was short-lived.

It was replaced by a feeling of supreme pleasure. The soul of Henry Holtspur trembled with triumphant joy, as he saw the lady moving forward to the courtyard gate, and seeking admission from the sentry. He could hear part of the conversation pa.s.sing between them. The lightning's flash showed him her hand extended, with the yellow gold glittering between her fingers. There was no difficulty in divining her intention.

She was bribing the guard. For what? For the privilege of pa.s.sing inside?

”I've been wronging her!” exclaimed Holtspur, conjecturally, shaping her purpose to his wishes. ”If so, I shall make full atonement. The glove worn by Scarthe may have been stolen--must have been. If 'tis for me her visit is intended, then I shall know to a certainty. Such a sacrifice as this could not come from a coquette? Ah! she is risking every thing. I shall risk my liberty--my life--to make sure that it is for me. 'Tis bliss to fancy that it is so.”

As he said this, he stepped eagerly up to the moated wall--with the intention of scaling it, and returning to the gateway.

He did not succeed in the attempt. The parapet was high above his head.

He had been able to see over it, only by standing back upon the sloping acclivity of the counterscarp. He could not reach it with his hands-- though springing several feet upward from the bottom of the fosse.

After several times repeating the attempt, he desisted.

”The footbridge!” muttered he, remembering the latter. ”I can go round by it.”

He turned along the outside edge of the moat--in his anxious haste no longer taking precaution to keep concealed. The darkness favoured him.

The night was now further obscured by the thick rain, that had suddenly commenced descending. This, however, hindered him from making rapid progress: for the sloping sward of the counterscarp had at once become slippery, and it was with difficulty he could keep his footing upon it.

On reaching the bridge, another obstacle presented itself. The gate that crossed it at midway was shut and locked--as was customary at night--and it was a somewhat perilous feat to climb over it.

It was performed, however; and Holtspur stood once more within the enclosed grounds of the shrubbery.

The delay of gaining access to them had been fatal to his original design. As he faced towards the gate entrance, he heard the wicket once more turning upon its hinges; and saw a woman's figure outlined in the opening. In another instant it had moved around the angle of the building, and was advancing in the direction of the verandah.

Holtspur paused; and for a moment hesitated to present himself. Could he have been mistaken as to the purpose of that nocturnal visit to the courtyard? What would he not have given for the secret, that had been confided to that _trusty_ sentinel?

If in error, how awkward would be an interview! Not that he feared betrayal. Such a thought did not enter his mind. But the oddness of such an encounter--its _gaucherie_--would be all upon his side?

His indecision was but for a moment. It might be the last time he should have an opportunity of speaking with Marion Wade?

This thought--along with a fond belief that he had rightly-construed the errand on which she had come forth--once more emboldened him; and, gliding on through the shrubbery, he placed himself by her side--at the same time p.r.o.nouncing her name.

It was his voice--heard above the rus.h.i.+ng of the storm--that had fallen so unexpectedly upon her ear.

”'Tis you, Henry!” she said, yielding to her first instinct of pleasure at seeing him free and unfettered.

Then, as if remembering how he had come by that freedom--with the wild words of his deliverer still ringing in her ears--her demeanour suddenly changed to that haughty reserve, which the proud daughter of Sir Marmaduke Wade had the right to a.s.sume.

”Sir!” continued she, with an effort at indifference; ”I am surprised to see you here. I presumed that by this time you would have been far from this place.”

”I should have been; but--”

”You need not hesitate to tell the reason. I know it. It is easy to guess that.”

”Marion!”

”No doubt your deliverer will soon find the opportunity of rejoining you?”