'Come, my lord; do come!'
'On my knees, lady——'
'Seize the villain, and immure him in the deepest dungeon!' exclaimed the baron, rushing into the room with his domestics.
Some of them laid hold on Montmorenci, the rest bore off the body of the bandit. The baron and I were left alone.
'My lord,' said I, flinging myself at his feet (for alas, I had now lost all my magnanimity), 'that man is my horror and detestation. But only promise to spare my life for one day more, and indeed, indeed, I will try if I can make up my mind to marry him.'
''Tis well,' said the baron. 'To-night you sleep secure: to-morrow decides your fate.'
He spoke, and stalked out of the chamber.
This horrid castle—would I had never set foot in it. I will escape if I can, I am resolved. I have already tried the walls, for a sliding pannel or a concealed door; but nothing of the kind can I discover. And yet something of the kind there must be, else how could the baron and bravo have entered my chamber? I protest this facility of intrusion in antique apartments is extremely distressing. For besides its exposing one to be murdered, just think how it exposes one to be peeped at. I declare I dare not even undress, lest some menial should be leering through a secret crevice. Oh, that I were once more in the mud cottage! I am sick of castles.
Adieu.