Volume Three—Chapter Thirty Three.
Dread Conjectures.
Observing a profound silence, the two young men pressed forward. Neither liked to put question to the other. Each dreaded the answer the other might make—each was thinking only of the danger of her who was dearest to him.
They urged on their steeds with equal eagerness, for both were alike interested in the dénouement of the dreadful drama at that moment being enacted at the mansion of Mount Welcome.
Their reflections were similar, and similarly painful.
They might be too late! Ere they could arrive upon the scene, the stage might be deserted—the tragedy played out—the players gone!
It needed not these thoughts to stimulate them to increased speed: they were already riding as if life or death rested on the issue.
They had neared the flank of the Jumbé mountain, and were heading for the ridge that separated the estates of Montagu Castle and Mount Welcome.
At this point the road debouched from the forest, and the ridge came in sight. At the same instant, a cry escaped from the lips of Cubina, as with a quick wrench he drew his horse to a halt.