Then he addressed Blanche with a calm, self-possessed manner, strangely at variance with his real feelings.
“You must allow me to be more than your guide. There is serious danger in your remaining here. May I carry your friend?”
There was no choice but to comply. He took Lois from the arms of her companion, and lifted her in his own strong, firm clasp. He glanced down at the pale, statuesque face as it rested against his shoulder, but it was impossible to even guess at his thoughts from the expression upon his countenance, which was that of perfect impassibility, though a certain eager interest lurked in his eyes.
Through the door by which he had so unexpectedly entered, down a long, apparently interminable flight of somewhat steep steps, along one dim corridor after another, until Blanche began to feel bewildered, and to imagine herself in a dream.
She did not attempt to address a solitary remark to the friend who had so suddenly come like a knight of old to the rescue of distressed damsels, but followed him with implicit faith as he strode with a quick step onward.
Once he turned his head and spoke, as if he guessed she must feel mystified, or to break the current of his own unpleasant thoughts.
“These passages are very confusing to any one not thoroughly acquainted with the various turnings. I believe their origin is unknown, though the tradition still exists of many a strange legend of how cavaliers escaped their pursuers this way, and fled to the friendly sea.”
Nothing more was said, and the strange procession moved on until the fresh air blew in, and the dash of the sullen rain, the soughing of the trees, told that they were near the entrance.
Left without guidance, Blanche could not have formed the most distant idea of where she was, or which way to take. She could see nothing but a wide expanse of rain-blotted gray-green, looking at this moment the picture of desolation.
Paul Desfrayne did not emerge upon the wild, stormy scene without, however. He pushed open a door apparently hewn from solid stone, and entered a small, dimly lighted chapel. It was a circular building, half in ruins, though the beautiful stained-glass windows were almost intact.