"I shall die with her," I said dully. This suspense was worse than the tortures of hell. I prayed that they would soon come and end it.
"Nonsense," said Nick, "they will not hurt you; you have not harmed them as she has."
He was using the words of Solonika. She could not understand and neither could Nick. How little both knew me.
We did not again refer to the events of the evening. I do not think Nick spoke. He only watched me curiously. Toward midnight the landlord closed up his hotel and retired with his servants for the night. They little dreamed how soon and with what fright they would be awakened from their peaceful slumbers. The innkeeper placed candles on the table between us before ascending the stairs. With what assurance men go to their slumbers knowing that they will wake up in this world in the morning. I would not be here when he again opened his little hotel.
About one o'clock Nick and I raised our heads at the same moment and listened. We heard the beat of horses' feet on the hard stone highway, coming steadily nearer and nearer. As the sound increased in volume, it became evident that more than a thousand cavalrymen and others, detailed to search the main road, were upon us.
"They are here," said Nicholas.
CHAPTER XXI
THE FIGHT ON THE STAIRS
Like pilgrims to th' appointed place we tend;
The world's an Inn and death the journey's end.
—Dryden: Palamon and Arcite.
The agony I suffered during the long hours of waiting left me without feeling. If I experienced any sensation as I heard the approaching sounds of pursuit, it was not of excitement, but rather of elation. The terrible hours of waiting were at an end; here at last was the opportunity for action. To sit and think on approaching death is more difficult than to fight it.