You are safe now, with
your own friends, and your own true lover--nobody can harm or frighten
you again."
Although she did not yet open her eyes, a faint smile dawned upon the
colourless lips, and her cold, trembling, little fingers feebly returned
the tender pressure of de Sigognac's warm hands. Lampourde stood by,
and looked down with tearful eyes upon this touching group--for he was
exceedingly romantic and sentimental, and always intensely interested in
a love affair. Suddenly, in the midst of the profound silence that had
succeeded to the uproar of the melee, the winding of a horn was heard
without, and in a moment energetically repeated. It was evidently a
summons that had to be instantly obeyed; the drawbridge was lowered in
haste, with a great rattling of chains, and a carriage driven rapidly
into the court, while the red flaring light of torches flashed through
the windows of the corridor. In another minute the door of the vestibule
was thrown open, and hasty steps ascended the grand staircase. First
came four tall lackeys, in rich liveries, carrying lights, and directly
behind them a tall, noble-looking man, who was dressed from head to foot
in black velvet, with an order shining on his breast--of those that
are usually reserved for kings and princes of the blood, and only very
exceptionally bestowed, upon the most illustrious personages.
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