"You do not know!" said Bluebeard. "Well, I know. You wanted to go to the little room. Very well; I shall see that you get there and take your place with the other ladies."
In despair the young woman flung herself at his feet and begged for mercy, repenting bitterly of her curiosity. Bluebeard turned a deaf ear to all her entreaties and was not moved in the least by her piteous beauty.
"Hear me, madam. You must die at, once," he said.
"But give me a little time to make my peace with God," she said. "I must have time to say my prayers."
"I will give you a quarter of an hour," answered Bluebeard, "but not a minute more."
He turned away, and she sent for her sister, who came quickly at her summons.
"Sister Ann," she said excitedly, "go up to the top of the tower and see if my brothers are coming. They promised to come and see me to-day. If they are on the road make signs to them to hurry as fast as they can. I am in awful despair."
[Illustration: SISTER ANN WATCHING FROM THE TOWER]
Without waiting for an explanation the sister went to the top of the tower and began her watch.
She was scarcely seated when her sister called up, "Sister Annie, do you see any one coming?"