Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/26

24 "Dream, you mean." At this moment their little guide began to sing one of those popular airs which the Italian peasantry execute with such singular taste. They listened as the sweet voice died away, and then was repeated by an echo from the rock. A rush of hurried steps broke upon the song—the branches crashed overhead—the party caught a glimpse of some half-dozen dark figures. In another moment, Emily felt a cloak flung over her head; and, blinded and silenced, was lifted seemingly in some one's arms, in whose grasp she was nothing. Again she felt herself raised: she was placed on a horse—her companion sprang up behind—and off they galloped, with a velocity which effectually bewildered her senses. She could only distinguish the sounds of other horses' steps besides their own. At length, almost fainting with their speed, she was aroused by the suddenness of their halt. She was lifted from the horse, carried a short distance, the cloak partly loosened, and her hand drawn within a powerful arm, that half-guided, half-supported her up a long, steep flight of steps. A door creaked on its hinges—the grasp upon her was relaxed—a strange