'Turn, villain!' cried Montmorenci; and a desperate battle began.
My life was the stake. I hung upon every blow, winced as the steel descended on Montmorenci, and moved as he moved, with agonised mimicry.
At length, victory declared in his favour. The bandit lay lifeless, and the baron was disarmed; but escaped out of the chamber.
'Let us fly!' cried my preserver, snatching me to his heart. 'I have bribed a domestic.—A horse is in waiting.—Let us fly!'
'Let us, let us!' said I, disengaging myself.
'Yet hold!' cried he. 'I have saved your life. Save mine, by consenting to an immediate union.'
'Ay, my lord——'
'What?'
'I cannot.'
'Cannot!'