"Escape—but how am I to escape?" thought Gabrielle, as her eyes filled with tears, and she pressed her hands upon her burning temples; "all the doors of the passages and ambulatories between this and the court are kept closed and locked by Merodé or his creatures; and the wall—it is so high! and I have only a day to decide; ah, dear Ernestine, I have no hope—none—none!"
Again and again she read the letter, in the hope that it might contain some hint; but there was no such item there.
"Are you coming, then—not just now; but when the darkness sets in?" said Bernhard, who was still sitting below the window, and to whom she turned for some advice.
"How can I descend? I will do any thing—any thing to escape from this."
"Could you slide down a stout cord if I brought one?"
"I believe that I could."
"Are you not certain, young lady?"
"Oh yes! I am quite certain."
"Well, by ten o'clock I will be back again, for I do not like sitting in view of that fellow on the tower head. I am in expectation of receiving a shot every moment. Listen—collect all the valuables you have, for I will expect a little fee from you for my trouble; I am only a poor fellow who has lost his employment by the war. When you have them all ready, secure your door inside."
"Alas! 'tis generally bolted on the outside."