Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/34

Rh oaks; and as the headlong gallop paused, and the swift rush of the air ceased, as they entered those dim aisles that had the twilight gloom and calm of some mighty temple to forgotten gods, a sudden blindness veiled all things—even her face—from his sight, Erceldoune swayed heavily forward on his saddle, the faintness of mortal pain vanquished him at last.

With sheer instinct he threw himself from his stirrups and staggered towards her; all was dark and sickly to his senses and the iron bands seemed to crush tighter and harder round his chest, straining out the very life; but his thought was still for her, and he smiled in her eyes, though he could no longer see but only felt that they were on him.

"Have no fear;—it is nothing!" But even as the words left his lips his strength at length was conquered; and senseless from the loss of blood, be reeled slightly, and fell, head backward, on the earth.

Almost ere he had fallen Idalia was beside him; she had not dreamed that he was wounded or even in suffering, till with those few gentle words he had swayed downward like a dying man. Then, where the moonlight strayed in through a parting in the