"'Since when, Sir Abbot,' I demanded, 'has the Abbey of Kirkstall become the prison for abducted women?'
"'Since it pleased me to assist a friend in need,' he answered.
"Coming near, he scanned my face and figure; and suddenly he put his arms about me and kissed me on the mouth."
De Lacy struck his gauntlets against his greaves.
"God! I am glad I killed him," he gritted.
"So am I, dear," said the Countess—then went on: "I tried to reach my dagger, but Aldam caught my hands and kissed me twice again.
"'Be not so timid,' he laughed. 'There are many of your sex come to this room, and far different from a simple caress is the toll they pay. But you are Darby's, so must I stop with that … yet I would it were otherwise,' and his look was so cruelly devouring I fled to the far side of the room.
"There I waited, ready if he sought again to touch me, to sink my dagger in his breast. But he had bound his passions, seemingly, for he sat down and bade me prepare to leave without delay. And gladly did I comply, caring little where I went, so that I left this vile priest's clutches.
"When I had done, he took my bundle and a candle and led the way through a hidden panel in the corner opposite the door. We passed along a narrow corridor, with the roof almost against our heads, and descended a score of stone stairs into a tunnel, deep and foul. How far we went I cannot even guess, but presently there was another ascent of stairs, and after a bit of fumbling, the heavy door swung back and I felt a rush of night air and saw the moonlight.
"Thrusting the Abbot aside, I sprang through the opening … and into the arms of Simon Gorges.