“Grandame!” exclaimed the girl, astonished.
“Get up,” replied the Sibyl—“smooth that hair—put on the bodice of blue velvet, and the saya edged with gold, that was to have been the wedding-dress with Chaleco. Quick, or the daylight will be upon us.”
CHAPTER IX.
WAITING AND FEARING—A WILDERNESS OF BEAUTY.
Aurora obeyed her grandmother almost hopefully; for her faith in the Sibyl was unbounded. In a little time she appeared in the outer cave, arranged in the picturesque costume which should have been her wedding-garments. The old woman had been pouring a quantity of the poison drao into a vial, which she thrust into her bosom as the girl came in.
“Why do you take that?” she faltered out, struck with new dread.
“It is for him—the Busne, if he falters in doing what I shall ask.”
“Be it so,” said my mother, sadly, pointing toward the bowl. “There will be enough left—I will go with him”——
“You must,” answered the Sibyl, sharply. “Now come.”
They left the cave, closing the door after them.
“Stay,” exclaimed the old woman, going back, “you will want food and drink.”