"Well, well," said Beatrice, "we have matters of more importance to think of now, Eugenie: we will keep all explanations for an aftertime, when you and I, in some little cottage, far away from these scenes of strife, want conversation to pass away the hours till the storm has worked itself out, and the sky is once more clear. And now, sweet sister of my heart, call up all your courage, summon all your resolution, for we must lose no time, but make the best of our way out of this hateful city. Ere to-morrow morning be two hours' old, Mayenne will have discovered that he has been cheated; and though Philip d'Aubin be by that time beyond recall, his Highness the lieutenant-general, and the Holy League, even if they find not out all the windings of our plot, will take such measures for your security, that all after efforts will be vain."
"Oh! I will do anything! I will fly anywhere!" replied Eugenie. "I have courage, I have resolution for any effort. The worst that can befall me is death; and I would rather die a thousand times than be the bride of Philip d'Aubin."
Beatrice smiled, half sorrowfully, half playfully. "He is not reputed, my fair Eugenie," she said, "to be so very hateful, as you seem to think."
Eugenie blushed deeply, pained to believe that her undisguised abhorrence of the Count d'Aubin might have wounded the feelings of one whom she loved so much as Beatrice of Ferrara--one who, she well knew, was not indifferent to the man whom she herself so deeply detested. "I mean not to say that he is so hateful in himself, Beatrice," she replied; "but has not he given me good reason to hate him? Perhaps I might have loved him, too, if--"
"If you had not loved another," interrupted Beatrice, with a smile. "But we have not time for all that either," she added; "and will talk of it, too, another day. At this moment we have other things on hand. You, my good Caroline, bring your mistress some refreshments quickly; but take care that no one else enters while you are gone."
"Indeed, Beatrice, I need no refreshment," said Eugenie, rising. "Joy at my deliverance, and hope for the future, will give me strength and support to go any length of way; and I am ready, quite ready, to set out directly."
Beatrice smiled. "I will command to-day," she said; "Caroline, do as I bid you! Alas, my poor Eugenie, you have much to do, ere you can set out, for the danger lies at our threshold; and when once I have led you twenty yards in safety from the door of this house, I shall think the battle half won at least."
"What, then, is it that you fear?" demanded Eugenie, eagerly.
"Delay, above all things!" answered Beatrice; "for though, I trust, our plot has been too well laid to be discovered immediately, yet there is always danger where there is anything concealed. First, then, Eugenie, you must change your dress, and take such a one as will most completely disguise you, should you be sought for more speedily than we suppose."
"I know not where to find any dress but my own," replied Eugenie. "What dress would you have me to take, Beatrice?--Though, now I think of it," she added suddenly; "one of my maids has her own country costume with her,--a white petticoat, and a red open gown above it, with----"