Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/44

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very idea of doing so had terrified her) I must go, in order to watch for an opportunity for my lady to come to you."

"Hasten her to me I conjure you, (cried Madeline) as she followed Floretta to the door to lock it after her.

"O that I was out of this house, (exclaimed Madeline, as she turned from the door), danger and death surround me on every side."


She feared that Madame D'Alembert would oppose her quitting it, she feared she could not entreat her permission to do so without betraying in some degree the motive which prompted that entreaty. Impressed with terror, she knelt before a large crucifix near the head of the bed, and fervently implored the protection of heaven. As she prayed she was suddenly startled by the creaking of the closet door: she turned her head with quickness towards it, and beheld it half open; and the horror of that moment can better be conceived than described; a man whose face was