Maraquita had already flown to her parents for protection, and was clinging to her mother in an agony of tears.
‘Mamma! mamma! what will they do to us? Oh, we shall all be killed! Why did I ever leave Beauregard!’
‘Hush! hush! my darling! it will be all right. There must be some mistake,’ replied her mother, although she was shaking so violently that she could hardly stand.
But if it was a mistake, it was a very terrible one, for the next moment the sound of several shots, and a piercing scream, proved that the rebels had already commenced their murderous work.
‘This way, Nita,’ said Mr Courtney hurriedly, pushing his wife and daughter before him. ‘Keep close to the wall, and escape by the door into the library. It is your best chance.’
But before they had gone many paces, elbowing their way frantically through the crowd that pressed on them from every side, the dark faces that had guarded the open windows perceived their means of exit, and with a cry of fiendish delight, leapt into the room to prevent it.
‘We are lost!’ cried Mrs Courtney. ‘Oh, Mr Courtney, in Heaven’s name, what are we to do?’
‘Stand before Quita. Conceal her at all risks, and I will help you,’ replied the father, as he ranged himself by the side of his trembling wife, and in front of his daughter; and then he whispered, ‘Have no fear, Nita; they can have no object in wounding us. Their malice is against Sir Russell and our poor child. Spread your skirts over her, for Heaven’s sake.’
Meanwhile the slaughter became general. The rebels rushed hither and thither in search of Maraquita, wounding or killing every girl they thought to be the bride, with, in most instances, the men who resented the murder, until the ballroom reeked with blood, and the screams of the unhappy victims were appalling. But the alarm had been given at once, and in a few minutes the opposition shots of the military forces were heard, and scores of the rebels bit the dust, whilst many more were taken prisoners. Amongst the latter was a young and handsome Spanish half-caste, whose dark eyes were on fire with the lust for revenge, but who made no effort to free himself from his captors.
‘The danger is past! Thank God that you are both safe!’ exclaimed Mr Courtney, as he turned to embrace his wife and daughter.