Page:Marietta, or the Two Students.djvu/35

Rh person with such a face. But you see I cannot let you in. The door is locked on the outside, and I have no key."

"I will force it open if you wish me to?"

"No; don't do that."

"I fancied you might wish to escape from your imprisonment, for it seems like this to me."

"I do wish it, but there are other means of doing so, which I think would be better, beside I know of no where else to go."

"Then you do not wish for my assistance," replied the student, in a somewhat disappointed tone.

"You are mistaken, Sir; it is through your agency that I hope to obtain my object."

"How can I serve you?"

"I wish you to see Eugene. Do you know Eugene?"

"I am acquainted with several persons of that name."

"The one I mean is handsome, not quite so pale as you."

"Ah! young woman, how shall I know him by that description, replied the student, smiling at the naivete of Cecil.

"He is a medical student."

"I left him not an hour ago, or rather he left me."

"Eugene !"

"Yes, the very same."

"Are you much acquainted with him?"

"Yes; he is my intimate friend, and lives in Street, No..

Tis the same, how fortunate. You must visit him if you would do me an act of kindness. Inform him of all you have seen and heard to-night. Beg of him to come to me immediately. If he cannot enter by any other means, he must by force. I believe I hazard my life by tarrying here."

I fear you do, unfortunate girl. Did you receive much injury from the rough usage of the old woman?"

"My face is a little swolenswollen [sic] from the effects of the blow, and my arm aches, yet, nothing very serious I believe."

"I have now a favor to ask?"

"What is it?" asked Cecil quickly, and with trepidation in her manner. "Nothing that I shall be obliged to deny you, I hope."

"I trust not young woman. It is this; you have seen my face, and now I wish to look a moment upon yours."

"Oh! is that all," said she laughing. "I can grant it in a minute. Stop until I pull up the wick of the lamp that you may see better. I think you can now have a tolerably fair view of my face through the key hole."

The student quickly obeyed the directions of Cecil, and thought he had never gazed upon handsomer features, but once, and then in that instance the features were those of the dead.

"You are very pretty."

"I am glad my looks please you. I don't think I am handsome, though perhaps I am good looking enough."

"Believe me, you are handsome. What is your name, if I may be allowed to ask?"

"Cecil."

"Ah! yes, I remember. I have heard Eugene speak of you. Cecil, that was the name. Have you anything further to communicate?"

"Nothing in particular, I believe. Tell him, if you please, not to delay."

"Had I not better attempt your release now—myself, Cecil? I can easily force the door, and we can make good our escape from this den at once."

"You would—believe me—make too much noise. There may be persons within hearing that would come to disturb our exit, against whose number you may be unable to contend, although you were armed."