“Arthur—Arthur,” said the young bride coming in laughingly for the crowning veil. “Ah captain! good day! Master Talbot—is he here?”
“He was but an instant since.”
“And—and now?”
“He hath fled, he hath deserted thee!”
Then there was a great cry and a start.
“And the lady—Madame Henrietta—gone also?”
Soon horsemen were flying from the castle—the rattle of drums calling to arms spread over the place—every soul about the castle was hurried and frightened. All but Captain Richard Forth, who stood cold and gratified, nursing his vengeance, and saying it was a judgment.
But as he hears the alarm bell, he hears mixed with it a strange wild cry—near him—almost at his ear.
Still the call to arms was repeated—still the alarm-bell rang out its dismal warning, and again the dull appealing cry was heard.
This time he knew whence it came. It was uttered by Elvira.