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Page 56
The groom promised obedience, and they separated--the groom to the
stable, and the palmer in quest of the Lady Margaret. He found her in
the midst of her dependents, praying in the oratory. It was a sight to
make the heart bleed--that defenceless group, with tearful eyes and
hands raised trembling to heaven, now starting as the iron gate groaned
beneath the heavy blows, now glancing timidly around as the lightning
streamed in upon them. The palmer stepped up to the maiden and drew her
aside.
"You must fly with me!" he said.
"Why? Are we not safe?"
"Before one may count a hundred, we are surrounded by the whole army of
the tyrant!"
This sudden and awful disclosure was too much for the frail maiden,
already exhausted by watching and excitement. She grasped his wrist, and
shuddering as she fixed her eyes on him, staggered forward, and would
have fallen, had not the palmer caught her now unconscious form, and,
raising it in his arms, passed from the room. Through the gallery, down
the staircase, along the portico he passed, as swiftly as though he
carried but a child. The wind came damp and cold against his cheek, the
rain poured pitilessly upon his head, the arrowy lightning seemed to
play around his feet, but manfully he hurried on with his precious
charge. The gate was reached; he paused but an instant to hail the groom
and take breath, then slid into the moat, and in a short space stood
safe upon the other side. Here he staid but to envelop the maiden in his
own heavy cloak, which he had snatched up when the rain began. As her
consciousness was but imperfectly restored, the palmer mounted one of
the horses and placed her before him. The groom, at his direction,
sprang to the saddle and led the third animal.
When they were a little within the wood, the palmer exclaimed
"Can you find the road to Count Montfort's?"
The groom replied in the affirmative.
"Then take the lead, and strike it at the nearest point."
After groping for some minutes, they succeeded in hitting it, and, aided
by the lightning, pursued their course as swiftly as the stormy night
permitted.
The Lady Margaret was awakened to her situation only to pour forth
torrents of tears. In vain the palmer tried to moderate her grief--she
could scarcely be persuaded from returning.
The rain had now ceased, and as the clouds rolled away, they obtained
light enough to continue their flight more rapidly and securely.
"Look!" cried the groom, as they stood on the top of a lofty hill. The
palmer could scarcely repress an inclination to throttle his imprudent
friend; for as the Lady Margaret turned her head, she saw a column of
smoke and flame curling up, as if it warred against the skies.
"It is my father's castle!" she said. "Oh, what has become of those we
left?" she added shuddering. "Let us trust in God!" murmured the palmer.
Brighter and brighter grew the flame--higher and higher rose the lurid
column. Still the Lady Margaret continued to gaze on the fiery pillar.
At last the light suddenly expanded and burned awhile with intense
brilliancy. It was but for a moment. Dimmer and dimmer grew the flame,
and darkness soon settled over the ashes of Stramen Castle.
The palmer now placed the maiden upon the third horse, and led the way
with his hand upon her bridle. Two hours more brought them to the
fortress of T�bingen, where the brave Count Montfort, though refusing to
join Rodolph, had designed to hold out to the last against his perjured
and sacrilegious rival. The palmer demanded admittance in the name of
Albert of Hers, and instantly obtained it.
The generous countess received the daughter of Stramen with open arms,
and the count swore first to protect and then to avenge her. Nor was the
palmer forgotten. Despite his ridiculous costume, now soiled and torn
and stained with blood, he exhibited no embarrassment when ushered into
the presence of the noble group.
"The Lady Margaret would know her deliverer," said the countess.
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