Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/87

 "No, (replied she) I would rather walk."

"Go before me then, (said he) and I will lead the horses."

Madeline obeyed him though with difficulty, for she felt so agitated that she could scarcely drag her weary limbs along. As she approached the castle her eyes were anxiously fastened on it, in hopes of discovering a light or some other sign of inhabitation, but all was dark and dreary around.

"I am afraid, Lubin, (said she, stopping and mournfully shaking her head) I am afraid the family have not yet returned."

"I do not quite despair about that, Mademoiselle, (replied Lubin); at so very late an hour as this you know we could not expect to have found any of them up."

"How shall we make ourselves heard by them then?" asked Madeline.

"Why I suppose we shall find a great bell at the gate, which I shall ring."