I felt almost suffocated with excitement and apprehension, as Marie Louise, in her travelling dress, came forth; and instinctively I stepped towards her.
'Keep back, Blane,' whispered Dundrennan; 'your excitement will spoil all—leave me to officiate.'
Drawn by four horses, the large old-fashioned coach stood in the dark and narrow archway of the tower; and De Brissac, an old hand in all manner of business connected with arrestments and the Bastille, said, with the greatest suavity of tone and manner,
'Pardon me, madame!' and lifted her veil to assure himself that this lady was indeed his prisoner. The blue eyes, the pale face, and golden hair were seen for a moment, and a cry almost escaped me as with one hand he assisted her into the coach, and while carefully closing the door, with the other gave to Dundrennan, as captain of Lutzelstein, a full receipt for 'the person of Marie Louise of Lorraine;' and I heard the Viscount laugh as he placed it in his girdle, and walked round to the other door of the carriage, which he had purposely left open; and then my heart stood still, for one false or unanticipated movement would spoil all! M. De Brissac said—
'Adieu, for to-night, madame! after this we shall disturb you no more until morning.'
Placing a foot in his stirrup he mounted, and ordered the coach to be driven off. At the same moment I lifted Marie Louise out by the opposite door, which Dundrennan closed as I led her away in the darkness, which enabled this manoeuvre to be as skilfully executed as it was wisely prepared; and then the enormous vehicle went lumbering empty along the bridge of the cascade and down the valley, carefully guarded by De Brissac, the Chevalier of Mont Carmel, and the two mousquetaires.
'I have the quittance of M. de Brissac; I am safe—the fool! the egregious fool!' said Dundrennan, while, laughing, he ordered the gates to be shut and the bridge wound up. 'Now, Blane, my dear friend, to horse, and away for the Rhine.'
We reached the sallyport and mounted. Dundrennan lifted Marie Louise to her saddle, and kissed her white and trembling hands, which could scarcely grasp the reins.
'Adieu, madame!' said he; 'in Scotland we may meet again.'
'Farewell, Viscount!' said I; and tears started to my eyes when I saw his tall and noble figure for the last time: 'give my kindest wishes to all our comrades of the Garde du Corps Ecossais. God's blessing! a long, good night to them and you! As the song says—