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I condemn you." "You?" said Hawbury, elevating his eyebrows in some surprise, and fixing a cool stare upon Girasole. "And what the devil's this row about, I should like to know? I don't know you. What have you against me?"

The men at the grave had heard every word of this conversation. Once they laughed in scorn when the priest alluded to the absurdity of a young girl escaping. It was too ridiculous. Their sympathies were evidently with the priest. The charge against him could not be maintained. "Well," said Girasole at length, "I don't trust you. You may be traitors, after all.

This was now evident, and he could not help perceiving that his difficulties were far more formidable from the presence of such a rival. But Girasole was not easily daunted.

Had it not been for this coolness his brains might have been blown out in which case this narrative would never have been written; but there was something in his look which made the Italians pause, gave Girasole time to interfere, and thus preserved my story from ruin. Girasole then came up and made his men stand back. They obeyed sullenly. Girasole removed the gag.

Here Girasole paused, and, with some final words of warning to the guards, he turned and took his departure. The priest sat down upon the grass, and urged Ethel to do the same. She followed his advice, and sat down by his side.

Willoughby had told Girasole that she had no knife; but this was not quite true, for she now produced one, and cut the cords that bound his wrists. Again a thrill flashed through him at the touch of her little fingers; she then cut the cords that bound his ankles. Dacres sat up. His ankles and wrists were badly swollen, but he was no longer conscious of pain.

"Se sall be your own maid. I haf sent for her." "What, my own maid? Dowlas?" "I am ver sorry, but it is not dat one. It is anoder an Italian." "Well, I think that is very unkind, when you know I can't speak a word of the language. But you always do all you can to tease me. I wish I had never seen you." Girasole looked hurt. "Charming mees," said he, "I will lay down my life for you."

These thoughts had all occurred to Girasole, and the sight of the two prisoners kindled his rage to madness. It was the deadliest purpose of vengeance that gleamed in his eyes as he looked upon them, and they knew it. He gave one glance, and then turned to his men. "On! on!" he cried; "I will join you in an instant; and you," he said to the guards, "wait a moment."

But now there came loud cries, and the rush of men near them. A loud, stern voice was encouraging the men. "On! on!" he cried. "Follow me! We'll drive them back!" Saying this, a man hurried on, followed by a score of brigands. It was Girasole. He had been guarding the woods at this side when he had seen the rush that had been made farther up.

The ladies bowed, and Girasole, as before, coolly turned his horse and rode by the carriage, talking with Mrs. Willoughby, and trying to throw at Minnie what he intended to be impassioned glances. But Minnie would not look at him. Of course she was frightened as usual, and grew excited, and, as before, talked with unusual animation to Hawbury.