Here he staid but to envelop the maiden in his own heavy cloak, which he had snatched up when the rain began.

As her consciousness was but imperfectly restored, the palmer mounted one of the horses and placed her before him.

The groom, at his direction, sprang to the saddle and led the third animal.
When they were a little within the wood, the palmer exclaimed "Can you find the road to Count Montfort's ?" The groom replied in the affirmative.
"Then take the lead, and strike it at the nearest point." After groping for some minutes, they succeeded in hitting it, and, aided by the lightning, pursued their course as swiftly as the stormy night permitted.
The Lady Margaret was awakened to her situation only to pour forth torrents of tears.

In vain the palmer tried to moderate her grief--she could scarcely be persuaded from returning.
The rain had now ceased, and as the clouds rolled away, they obtained light enough to continue their flight more rapidly and securely.
"Look!" cried the groom, as they stood on the top of a lofty hill.

The palmer could scarcely repress an inclination to throttle his imprudent friend; for as the Lady Margaret turned her head, she saw a column of smoke and flame curling up, as if it warred against the skies.
"It is my father's castle!" she said.