[3] Robertson's "Charles the Fifth."
"They will be upon us directly, Signora," said her trembling, grey-haired seneschal, who had hastened to her at the first alarm. "Lose no time in escaping. The pirates will never content themselves with the town—rely on it, you are their object. We will lower you from the window—you must then cross the draw-bridge, and pass through the gallery cut in the rock. It will bring you out on the hill-side, where Tiberio shall join you with horses—"
"Come, then, Caterina—"
"Alas, Madama, I am too old for jumping out of windows—I will remain to secrete the jewels, and look after the maids. We will lock ourselves in the cellars."
"Come then, Cynthia. Be quick."
Cynthia, who was wrapping herself in her haik, looked unwilling, and said:
"May I not remain with Caterina, Leila?"
"Certainly not. Jump out of window this instant, and then you can help me down."
The Duchess accelerated her by a slight push, on which she sprang lightly as a chamois to the ground, which was not far below; and the Duchess, seeing she came to no harm, called on the saints, and did the same. Caterina lowered them a lamp, which they covered, and soon they were in the rocky passage, while the Turks in the distance were howling like hungry wolves or mad dogs.[4]
[4] "Lupi famelici," "colla rabbia d' affamati cani."