CHAPTER XIX.
THE AWFUL PERIL OF CAPITOLA.
Out of this nettle, danger,
I'll pluck the flower, safety!
—Shakespeare.
Capitola's blood seemed turned to ice, and her form to stone by the sight! Her first impulse was to scream and let fall the waiter! She controlled herself and repressed the scream though she was very near dropping the waiter.
Black Donald looked at her and laughed aloud at her consternation, saying with a chuckle:
"You did not expect to see me here to-night, did you now, my dear?"
She gazed at him in a silent panic for a moment.
Then her faculties, that had been suddenly dispersed by the shock, as suddenly rallied to her rescue.