Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/262

260 It was now getting darker every minute—luckily their guide knew his way perfectly. In a very short time, the sound of the waves breaking on the sea beach was distinctly heard, the trees grew together less thickly, when suddenly their guide paused. "Your dress will inevitably betray you, lady. We shall find a little boat waiting; but though their consciences are not very tender, I doubt whether the rowers will like carrying off a nun; and they will not hear of it on board our vessel. To aid an escape from the clutches of justice is a meritorious act; but from those of the church is quite another matter." The whole party looked at each other in dismay. "Leave me! leave me!" exclaimed Emily, to whom the idea of the danger she was bringing on her friends gave a momentary energy. "Why should three lives be sacrificed for one so nearly spent as mine? Leave me!" "Never!" replied Beatrice. "You had remained in the garden but for my persuasions. Quit us, my father—we can surely return to the convent—fright will excuse an absence, which, from its return, will seem unintentional."