"O, don't think of me," cried Mimi; "save yourself."
"Haste—come," cried the priest; "it is already too late. You have wasted precious moments."
"I cannot," cried Claude, as he looked at Mimi, who stood in an attitude of despair.
"Then you are lost," groaned the priest, in a voice of bitterest grief.
[Image: "Mimi Suddenly Caught Claude By The Arm.">[
CHAPTER XIX. — THE CAPTIVE AND THE CAPTORS.
Further conversation was now prevented by the approach of a company of soldiers, headed by the commandant. Mimi stood as if rooted to the spot, and then suddenly caught Claude by the arm, as though by her weak strength she could save him from the fate which was impending over him; but the priest interposed, and gently drew her away.
The soldiers halted at the entrance to the garden, and the commandant came forward. His face was clouded and somewhat stern, and every particle of his old friendliness seemed to have departed.