Page:History of Blue Beard.pdf/10

10 adventure. On her sister inquiring if she locked the door, Fatima produced the key, but it was all covered with blood, and they both turned pale with fear. They spent a great part of the night in trying to clean off the blood from the key, which was the only evidence of Fatima's imprudence; but it was without effect; for though they washed and scoured it with brick dust and sand, no sooner was the blood removed from one side than it appeared on the other. Fatigued with



their exertions, they at last retired to bed: but the wretched Fatima, who could not sleep, lay ruminating on the awful scene she had gone through, and devising means for escaping the vengeance of her cruel husband, Blue Beard.

Fatima rose at a late hour next day, and after breakfast, she consulted her sister how she ought to proceed. As Blue Beard was to be absent for some weeks, she thought of making her escape from the castle before his return; but as her brothers were expected in an hour or two, she resolved to tell them what had taken place, and be guided by their advice. A loud knock at the gate made her almost leap for joy, and she cried, "They are come! they are come!" but what was her consternation when Blue Beard hastily opened the door and entered! It was impossible for Fatima to conceal her agitation, while Blue Beard mentioned, without seeming to observe her uneasiness, that he had been met by a messenger, who was on the way to the castle to prevent his journey, and therefore his presence there would not now be necessary.

Fatima pretended to be very happy at his sudden return, and said every thing she could think of to please him; but Blue Beard, who guessed what she had been about, requested the keys, in order, as he said, that he might change his dress, She went to her chamber, and soon returned with the keys.