Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/267

Rh of the lion, and the baying of the hounds grew louder and louder, into a din that was absolutely stunning. I looked round in terror. There, within a few yards of us, strode Bellagranda's superb lion, carrying his majestic mistress, in her robes of azure and gold, and her crown of stars glittering on her head. Her horrible dogs were baying loudly behind her, but they were still at a distance.

'Father,' she screamed, 'come back! is this a time for you to be absent? The city is in open rebellion, and the Third Avenue is on fire!'

'Daughter,' he answered, 'go home! We shall soon have water enough in the Great Lake of Tasmania to quench all the fires in the world. I shall be back tomorrow, and all will be well. The armies, artillery and cavalry, are coming. Obey me! I have a Master whom I must obey.'

'I will not go home,' she cried passionately, 'without Ubertus. I will die on this spot if you do not surrender him. You gave him to me! he is my husband! he is mine! he is mine!'

'Will you stay with her? you are free to choose,' said my enemy.

'I will not,' I shouted. 'I will die first. I demand to be released; she has no claim upon me as husband or lover; I am not yours to give to her or anybody else!'

'Then rush to the car, and be hanged!' muttered the Demon.

I sprang from the carriage, and the Doctor after me, but Bellagranda was as quick as we were. She made her lion execute a splendid demivolt upon us as we rushed for the balloon, and tried to transfix me with a spear which she carried; and her furious dogs came up with foam dropping from their mouths.

'Hold him, Syrax! pin him down, Picklock!' she screamed,