He halted, gave a start as of surprise, opened his mouth to speak, and then stood dumb, with staring eyes.

For several seconds he seemed undecided what to do next.

Then he put himself in motion and advanced toward the ladies, his face at the same time assuming a wild, demoniac expression.

He lowered his scythe from his shoulder, and grasped it in his right hand.
At that moment there sounded from the height above the trumpet-like peal of Aaron's horn.
"Aaron! Aaron!" cried both young women in concert and with all their strength.
The intruder, taking fright at sound of the horn and at the name, stood still and threw a look behind.
"Run, _frate_!"[1] shouted Aaron from above, already descrying the man.
[Footnote 1: Rumanian for "brother."] But the latter, counting with safety on a considerable interval before Aaron could descend, started once more toward Anna and Blanka.

Only twenty paces now intervened between him and them.