I could not comprehend that the long-looked for, often-despaired-of event had actually happened.

I feared that it was one of those tantalizing dreams that had so often haunted my sleep, only to be followed by a wretched awakening.

Then I became seized with a sudden fear lest the Rebel attempt to retake me.

The line of guards around us seemed very slight.

It might be forced in the night, and all of us recaptured.