A second later the drums began to beat, but Mornac, furious, silenced them.
“They can hear you at sea!” he shouted. “Do you want a boat-load of marines at your heels? Strike out those torches! Four will do for the garden. March!”
The shuffling tread of the insurgent infantry echoed across the gravel court-yard; torches behind the walls were extinguished; blackness enveloped the cliffs.
“Well,” broke out Speed, hoarsely, “good-bye, Scarlett.”
He held out his hand.
“Good-bye,” I said, stunned.
I dropped my hand as two soldiers placed themselves on either side of him.
“Well, good-bye,” he repeated, aimlessly; and then, remembering, he went to the Countess and offered his hand.
“I am so sorry for you,” she said, with a pallid smile. “You have much to live for. But you must not feel lonely, monsieur; you will be with us—we shall be close to you.”
She turned to me, and her hands fell to her side.