Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/136

 and then rang for assistance; Margarite came up. With his help I was placed on the bed; she bathed my head, gave me drops and water, and I was soon restored to sense and misery. He ordered the nurse out of the room, and then coming up to me, "Wretch! (cried he, furiously) behold a proof of thy guilt and falsehood: I could sacrifice thee to my vengeance, but I will have more exquisite satisfaction, and complete revenge, such as shall strike thee with remorse and endless sorrow." I besought him to hear me; I repeated what I have told you, and added it was the last I ever intended to receive. He smiled with disdain, "Doubtless it was, and I take upon me to say it will be the last you shall ever receive from him." He never left me the whole evening, but used every cruel malicious expression it was possible to conceive. I continued very ill and agitated that night and great part of the day. In the afternoon my persecutor left me, but Margarite remained; I got up, and was under the most dreadful apprehensions of what might happen; my eyes were continually turned to the window; I suffered the most agonizing terrors, when in a moment they were realized beyond whatever I could conceive of horror. A violent noise was heard on the stairs, like persons struggling, and in a moment the door was burst open; the Count and his man appeared, dragging in the Chevalier, with his mouth bound, his hands tied, and every mark of cruel treatment; I screamed, and clasped my hands, but could not speak; he made several desperate efforts to free himself—alas! to little purpose. Let me hasten over the dreadful catastrophe. "Now, (said the cruel Count) you have your minion where you wished him to be, in your bed-chamber, nor shall he ever quit it alive." I tried to speak, I threw myself on my knees, Spare O spare! was all I could say, and fell senseless, but I was soon recovered by the officious Margarite, to still greater horror. "We have waited your recovery, (said the barba-