Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/178

Rh "I thank you deeply. But—I shall not fly from them!"

"My God! Not fly? Do you not know that if you are taken"

Her lips might be a shade whiter, but her voice had no hesitation as she answered him:

"My fate will not be worse than others; whatever is theirs, I share."

Carlo of Viana drew the broad blade with a ringing echo from the sheath:

"Mother of Christ, then, we will defend you while life is in us!"

At that very moment the storm broke, the tumult began; the gay maskers fled in from the terraces and gardens like sheep driven wild by a wolf-dog; the banqueters seized the antique weapons, the weighty candelabra, the bronzes, the toy daggers—all and anything that would crash through like iron or be hurled like stones; the double lines of steel drew closer, and filled in every aperture, blocked every door of egress; an officer advanced to the centre of the great arch that spanned the entrance of the first reception-room, and addressed the Prince himself:

"Eccellenza, in the King's name, I demand your unqualified submission, and your surrender to me of