"Voltaire, in Heaven's name, where are papa and Minny?"
"On the back gallery, Miss," returned the man.
With the speed of thought, Della sped through the long passages, up the stairs, and out upon the balcony. She gained the spot just as the strong arm was upraised to give another blow.
"Papa! papa! for the love of mercy, stop!"
At that sound Minny slightly raised her head, but dropped it again, and the blow came down.
Della sprang wildly forward.
"Papa! papa! what has turned you into such a demon!"
With an almost superhuman strength, she caught the
whip, as it was again descending, in her own jeweled and delicate hands, wrested it from her father's grasp, and flung it over the railing into the court below.
Dropping upon her knees, she lifted the quadroon's head upon her lap. The eyes were closed, and the pallid face wore the appearance of death.