He was not yet half-way across the park; there might be time. I made a desperate resolve, and, clearing the copse at one bound, flew, as only terror and desperation can fly. I heard the startled oath the man uttered, and the cracking of the birch boughs as he regained his feet; I heard him spring forward in pursuit, but by that time I was out of the wood and on the lawn, and in another instant I had reached my goal.
Catching his arm, I exclaimed vehemently, forgetting everything in my terror:
"Don't go near that horrid wood, Victor! Come back, as you value your life!"
I was too much terrified to await his reply; but, calling to him to follow me, I ran on at the top of my speed, and never paused till I had reached the terrace, and, sinking down on the stone steps, I covered my face with my hands, panting and exhausted. Raising my head as I heard his step beside me, I began:
"You don't know how narrow an escape you have had! That"——
"You have made a mistake," interrupted my companion. "It is not Victor."
With an exclamation of amazement and chagrin, I sprung from him up the steps. I had made a miserable mistake, indeed; it was Mr. Rutledge.
[CHAPTER XXVII.]
"But 'mid his mirth, 'twas often strange
How suddenly his cheer would change,
His look o'ercast and lower—
Even so 'twas strange how, evermore,
Soon as the passing pang was o'er,
Forward he rushed, with double glee,
Into the stream of revelry."
SCOTT.