I am not aware whether fainting was as much the fashion among the fair

sex, in the days (or rather the nights) of which I have the honor to

hold forth, as at the present time; but I am inclined to think not,

from the simple fact that Leoline, though like John Bunyan, "grievously

troubled and tossed about in her mind," did nothing of the kind. For the

first few moments, she was altogether too stunned by the suddenness of

the shock to cry out or make the least resistance, and was conscious of

nothing but of being rapidly borne along in somebody's arms. When this

hazy view of things passed away, her new sensation was, the intensely

uncomfortable one of being on the verge of suffocation. She made one

frantic but futile effort to free herself and scream for help, but the

strong arms held her with most loving tightness, and her cry was drowned

in the hot atmosphere within the shawl, and never passed beyond it. Most

assuredly Leoline would have been smothered then and there, had their

journey been much longer; but, fortunately for her, it was only the few

yards between her house and the river. She knew she was then carried

down some steps, and she heard the dip of the oars in the water, and

then her bearer paused, and went through a short dialogue with somebody

else--with Count L'Estrange, she rather felt than knew, for nothing was

audible but a low murmur. The only word she could make out was a low,

emphatic "Remember!" in the count's voice, and then she knew she was in

a boat, and that it was shoved off, and moving down the rapid river. The

feeling of heat and suffocation was dreadful and as her abductor placed

her on some cushions, she made another desperate but feeble effort to

free herself from the smothering shawl, but a hand was laid lightly on

hers, and a voice interposed.

"Lady, it is quite useless for you to struggle, as you are irrevocably

in my power, but if you will promise faithfully not to make any outcry,

and will submit to be blindfolded, I shall remove this oppressive

muffling from your head. Tell me if you will promise."

He had partly raised the shawl, and a gush of free air came revivingly

in, and enabled Leoline to gasp out a faint "I promise!" As she spoke,

it was lifted off altogether, and she caught one bright fleeting glimpse

of the river, sparkling and silvery in the moonlight; of the bright blue

sky, gemmed with countless stars, and of some one by her side in the

dress of a court-page, whose face was perfectly unknown to her. The next

instant, a bandage was bound tightly over her eyes, excluding every ray

of light, while the strange voice again spoke apologetically, "Pardon, lady, but it is my orders! I am commanded to treat you with

every respect, but not to let you see where you are borne to."




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