Valentine hastened to his Michal. His brain was reeling. He was brimful of the splendor of that day's triumph. In such a condition, a man deems it impossible that his own spouse, the second half of his soul, can perhaps be just as full of grief and despair as he of joy.
Beaming with pride, he advanced toward the bed on which pretty Michal lay. But she, with a horrified face, fell upon his neck, drew his head down toward her and whispered in his ear what she could have screamed aloud for terror:
"Let us fly. Red Barbara is here!"
At these words, Valentine's face grew pale, and the pride of his heart was gone.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Whereby we learn that it is not good to come to close quarters with Satan, for if we catch him by the horns he butts us, if we clutch him by the throat he bites us, and if we hold him by the neck he kicks us.
"Perhaps it was not she after all?"
"It was. She looked at me, spoke to me, mocked me, and threatened me. Oh! all my limbs are still trembling!"
"Don't tremble, darling! Lay your hand on my breast and warm it. Have I not the power to defend you?"