“Immediately. I was only waiting here for the hour of opening the prison to arrive. Now, by the time we can walk thither it will have come, and we can be admitted. I shall go at once to the gaoler, and in a private interview, open my plan to him. You, meanwhile, can visit Eudora in her cell; but I beseech you, say not one word of the plan of deliverance to her until we discover whether the gaoler can be induced to favor it, for the subject might only agitate with vain hopes a soul that is piously trying to resign itself to death,” said Montrose.
“Why, do you think me an idiot? Of course I should say nothing to her prematurely, even if I had the opportunity, which I should not have, as one of those women warders is always on guard over her.”
“True; but if the governor can be induced to co-operate with us, he will make some opportunity for me to convey the news to Eudora. Then I will hurry away, and make every arrangement for the flight, which may be accomplished to-morrow,” said Montrose, rising, and taking his hat and gloves.
They immediately left the hotel, and walked rapidly on to the prison, exhibited the sheriff’s order, and were at once admitted.
While they waited for a minute in the hall, for some turnkey to attend them, Annella inquired in a breathless whisper:
“After your interview with the governor, you will come immediately to Eudora?”
“Certainly.”
“But one of the warders will be with her, and you cannot speak of it before either of them, how, then, shall I know whether your appeal has been successful?”
“By my face! Could I, with all the self-control of my nature, repress the satisfaction you would read there if I had succeeded, or the despair you would see there if I had failed?”
“But you will not fail. You are sure to succeed,” said Annella, impatiently.