The palmer stepped up to the maiden and drew her aside.
"You must fly with me!" he said.
"Why?
Are we not safe ?" "Before one may count a hundred, we are surrounded by the whole army of the tyrant!" This sudden and awful disclosure was too much for the frail maiden, already exhausted by watching and excitement.

She grasped his wrist, and shuddering as she fixed her eyes on him, staggered forward, and would have fallen, had not the palmer caught her now unconscious form, and, raising it in his arms, passed from the room.

Through the gallery, down the staircase, along the portico he passed, as swiftly as though he carried but a child.

The wind came damp and cold against his cheek, the rain poured pitilessly upon his head, the arrowy lightning seemed to play around his feet, but manfully he hurried on with his precious charge.

The gate was reached; he paused but an instant to hail the groom and take breath, then slid into the moat, and in a short space stood safe upon the other side.