Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 354: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

336 A PLEASANT JOURNEY. of his clothing, and he was concealed, bound and gagged, behind some stacks of straw. As to the lackey who was asleep, they were some time in discovering him. A certain little noise which was being made in a somber corner at- tracted Déroute in that direction; this noise came from the sleeper, who was snoring loudly. This one also was seized, bound, and gagged before he was even thoroughly awake. ‘*Let us make haste,’’ said Déroute, ‘‘it is getting dark.’’ The shade of night began to grow more dense; objects were distinguishable only in an uncertain light; great clouds extended their vails over the sky. The rain fell more rapidly and more heavily. Ina turn of the hand, Belle- Rose and Cornelius had changed clothes; in a corner of the coach-house there were some cloaks, which they took; the horses were saddled and bridled. ‘‘One word,’’ cried Belle-Rose to his friends; ‘‘if we are recognized, let us all leave together; the rest concerns our pistols. ”’ Monsieur de Charny descended. As he was going to mount within the carriage, Suzanne appeared upon the threshold of a chapel where she was accustomed to make her evening devotions. A flash of lightning, followed by a violent clap of thunder, illuminated all this scene. Suzanne divined Belle-Rose under his large felt hat; the captain pressed his finger to his lips, and she had the courage to remain immovable. ‘Light the torches and leave,’’ said Monsieur de Charny. The team, frightened by the noises of the storm, reared at first, then plunged forward. Suzanne fell upon her knees, and the cortege disappeared in the night. At the end of five minutes it was but aspark flying in the shadows. Suzanne arose. ‘‘My God!’’ said she, ‘‘watch over them.’”’ CHAPTER L. A PLEASANT JOURNEY. The equipage went like the wind. At some distance from the abbey, Déroute, who was galloping at the head, saw, upon the lower side of the road, silent cavaliers en- veloped in great cloaks. They rode to the carriage, recog- nized it for that of Monsieur de Charny, and bowed. Gomicbooks.com.