He shivered nervously from excitement, and the penetrating chilliness
of the damp night air, as he stood motionless at the appointed spot. He
trembled at the falling of a leaf--the crackling of the gravel under
his feet whenever he moved them sounded so loud in his ears that he felt
sure it would be heard at the chateau. The mysterious darkness of
the wood filled him with awe, and the great, black trees seemed like
terrible genii, threatening him. The poor wretch was not exactly
frightened, but not very far from it. Mme. la Marquise was tardy--Diana
was leaving her faithful Endymion too long cooling his heels in
the heavy night dew. At last he thought he heard heavy footsteps
approaching,--but they could not be those of his goddess--he must be
mistaken--goddesses glide so lightly over the sward that not even a
blade of grass is crushed beneath their feet--and, indeed, all was
silent again.
"Unless Mme. la Marquise comes quickly, I fear she will find only
a half-frozen lover, instead of an ardent, impatient one," murmured
Leander with chattering teeth; and even as the words escaped him
four dark shadows advanced noiselessly from behind upon the expectant
gallant. Two of these shadows, which were the substantial bodies of
stout rascals in the service of the Marquis de Bruyeres, seized him
suddenly by the arms, which they held pinioned closely to his sides,
while the other two proceeded to rain blows alternately upon his
back--keeping perfect time as their strokes fell thick and fast.
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