Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/104

 margrave quickly lighted some candles, and with every evidence of his evil passion clearly visible, he once again seized his trembling victim. He dragged her to his bed, and started ripping her clothes from her with fingers made clumsy by haste. After a few moments he stopped and let his eyes feast on the dazzling beauty of her body.

"Well, fair creature," he said with arrogance, "do you care to resist me further? Don't look around for help. From which direction do you expect it to come?"

"From this direction," cried Dourlach bursting into the room, a sword shining in his hand. "Yes, it is I alone, a man unafraid of such a master. It is I who will save her from this crime. The forces of power will not prevail over innocence. You have no right over this woman, and I am taking her away from your odious projects."

The margrave tried to defend himself, but Dourlach gave him such a blow with the flat of his sword that the wretch fell stunned to his knees. He called out weakly to his servants to come and help him.

"Stop your cries and your struggles," said the baron with energy. "Crime is always weak, and finds no helpers. I am not going to kill you, but I detest you. When I told your friends and servants what you were doing, they all deserted you as I am going to do. I am going to take this outraged woman far from your reach, and you will regain your freedom only when she will have nothing to fear from your crimes."

During this time, Adelaide had hurriedly rearranged her clothes as best she could. Now she looked up at her saviour and tremulously smiled, holding back her tears.

Dourlach took her hand and gently raised her to her feet. "Come, my dear. A carriage is waiting for us. Your faithful Bathilda is already in it. As for you," he said addressing the margrave, "do not try to pursue us. I have taken sure means to see to it that you will become our victim if you try to follow us."

Adelaide followed her liberator without the slightest hesitation. They were soon in the carriage and without stopping except to change horses and to eat, they went on to the Tyrol with the plan of going to Trentino, the native country of the