“I had just been congratulating myself that we should all rest, without thinking of an attack to-night! But, as Heaven hears me, I would rather sit with you, and watch all night in the hourly expectation of an assault and a battle, than be banished from you, though we pass the night in peace!”
Alberta replied in a low and tender murmur, inaudible to all but the ears for whom it was intended.
A whispered conference ensued, and then Corsoni said:
“Well, love, I shall lie on the floor outside your door to-night, and like a faithful dog will guard your slumbers.”
“It is only for a few hours,” she said.
And then followed a few more gentle, inaudible murmurs, and Colonel Corsoni left the door. And Alberta closed and fastened it, and returned to her friend.
“It is late, Elfie! And you must be excessively tired after your long ride. Get ready for bed, child! You shall be quite safe with me,” said the guerrilla’s wife, beginning to put the chunks of fire together to keep them burning through the night.
Elfie took her little watch from its hiding-place and looked at the time. It was nearly three o’clock. And feeling really almost worn out with fatigue, she undressed herself and went to bed, and fell fast asleep even before Alberta laid down beside her.
Meanwhile, without the storm raged, the wind howled and shrieked, the rain poured and dashed; and the roaring of the rising waters was heard above it all!
And to the battle-worn guerrillas, sweeter than the music of the spheres, sounded this warring of the elements, for it assured them of one night’s safety.